The Portuguese Connection: GOA, India

Goa,

The Portuguese Connection: GOA, India

Portuguese culture is deeply embedded in the lives of Goans (people of Goa), the culture, architecture, music, art and food alone have a distinct Portuguese influence. 450 years of rule by Portugal makes Goa a unique state with a rich blend of the western and eastern culture.

The people of Goa are among the most fascinating in India. They are welcoming and full of life and it seems that nothing can dampen their spirits. Aside from many belonging to the Catholic faith and having a distinctly Latin cultural backgrounds, they have come together to create the easygoing Goan culture, they emphasis good living.

 

Goans love their Siesta time. Many stores pull down their shutters between 1 and 4 in the afternoons for a quick break from the normal routine. Apparently this distinct tradition also comes from the Portuguese influence as it is not common practice in other Indian states.

Goans are also a talented lot! Music is in their blood and in almost every family one can find a pianist or a guitarist. Being a part of the culture, the music of Goa is a blend of east and west. While the rural areas still stick to the traditional forms of music, the urban areas have shifted to a more modern version. One can find a variety of music from Portuguese to Techno and rave, but what has caught Goa these days is the Goa Trance.

Goa's dance in itself is a rich cultural art form passed from one generation to another evolving new dance forms from the Portuguese influence. The most popular of local dance forms here are Fugdi and Dhalo performed by women only. Kunbi is a rustic tribal dance cum song while Dekni performed by women is a blend of eastern and western rhythms.

The Goan cuisine is more than just fish and feni (coconut or cashew based alcohol), its much more. While you are in Goa there are umpteen number of options to tickle your taste buds and the fantastic thing about it is that it's a unison of the Portuguese dishes and Indian spices. A meeting of Konkani, Portuguese and Bahamani Nawabi traditions produced the Goan cuisine that is simple and spicy, aromatic and pungent.

Goa, has been a land of blended cultures and meeting point of two civilizations. This unison has translated into art and crafts of Goa where the crafts of Portuguese nuns met with patterns, often Indian embroidery, and together they presented to the world a tradition of unique items. 

Since the 15th Century, crochet, bamboo and pottery have been employed to churn out utility items but over a period of time the craft has transcended to utility cum decorative purpose.

Goans love celebrations. No month passes without a fair or festival in Goa. Locales get involved in all the festivals but the festivals that attract most tourists are Christmas and New Year.

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