Goa is considered to be the most westernized state of India and is a popular tourist destination all across the world. Formerly a Portuguese colony, this place is also known as the ‘Rome of the East. Goa is a combination of Indian and Portuguese cultures that’s why Portuguese culture in Goa is very common in the state. Therefore, in this post, we are giving you all the necessary details regarding the Goa lifestyle and culture.
Portuguese influence
There are various perceptions regarding various regions and communities in India. The people of Goa are deliberated to be snorting at their own pace. The population of the state is only 1.5 million that lives between Indian Hindu as well as Portuguese Catholic influences. In 1510 AD, the Portuguese first reached Goa for many reasons. The reasons mainly include the trade of black pepper, other spices, the promotion of Christianity, and others. Until 1961, Goa remained a colony of Portugal, 14 years after India’s independence. Still, in Goa, the Portuguese language widely understood and spoken in Goa. Hence, Portuguese culture in Goa is still there in the form of food, music, dance, and arts.
Life of peace
In addition to the Goa food and culture, people also love one thing about Goa and that is peace. In other cities of India, there is pollution, lots of noise from the vehicle, factories, and others. But in Goa, there is a lot of peace and you can listen to the melodious strumming of church bells in cities as well as in the villages.
The Goan Life and Culture
People who live in Goa are referred to as Goans. Because of its easily accessible ports, this state has always benefitted as a trade center. Lovely coordination of the West and East, Goans have taken the best of both worlds. A civilization of happy people, you can see various religions in Goa such as Catholics, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus that live together with peace. Following their customs and age-old traditions, Goans celebrate all festivals with enthusiasm without bringing any religious barriers to society.
Food Culture of Goa
In Goa, food and drinks are an integral part of vibrant culture. Rice with seafood dishes is the main food of the state. This dish brings a warm coconut flavor to the appreciation and is a must-try cuisine. Goa food is also popular for its mixed bag of freshly caught seafood. Crabs, kingfish, and prawns with their traditional spicy marination are mouth-watering delicacies for the locals and are a very famous Goa’s local food.
Another festive favorite Goan cuisine is beef and pork roasts. This is a must dish to be prepared for the Christmas celebration and is best paired with the famous brew Feni of Goa which is made using fermented cashews. Coconuts and spices are the core ingredients that you will find in any Goan home, making their food absolutely delicious. Goan cuisine is a mixture of Konkani, Portuguese, as well as Brazillian cuisine. Most of the dishes are grilled and a large amount of garlic is added to the dishes. Hence, 5 top dishes that you can try in Goa are:
- Pork Vindaloo: This is a pork dish that is flavored with spices and vinegar.
- Goa sausages: These are delicious sausages made with pork and infused with spices.
- Chicken cafreal: Chicken cafreal is a grilled meat dish that is flavored with green chilies, spices, as well as peppercorns to make it more mouth-watering.
- Feijoada: This is a very popular Portuguese-styled beef and bean stew.
- Dodol: Dodol is a yummy Christmas cake that is made with cane sugar, rice flour, cashew, and coconut milk.
Dance and Music
The traditional music styles of Goa are Mando and Dulpod. The people who follow Hinduism enjoy Kirtan, Bhajan, and Natak styled music as well. Many well-known classical singers of the nation were from Goa such as Kishori Amonkar, Jitendra Abhisheki, Prabhakar Karekar, and others. In addition to this, the traditional dance forms of the Goa are Deknni, Fugdi, Corridinho, Dashavtara, and many others. Besides, the Western style of singing and dancing is very common amongst the people of Goa.
Goa Tourism
Everyone knows that Goa is the most popular party destination in India. This is the right place to go if you are looking for western culture and non-stop nightlife. Starting from casinos to nightclubs, this provides an illusion of Las Vegas in India. Some of the top tourist sites in Goa are Chapora Fort, Baga beach, Manguesi Temple, Dona Paula, State Museum of Goa, Candolim beach, Chapora Lake, Anjuna Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, and others.
Final Words
Hence, you must visit Goa to enjoy beach life and delicious Goan cuisine. We hope that this post regarding the Goa travel guide and Goa lifestyle and culture will surely help you in knowing more about the place.