Lifestyle of Goa

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Goa is on the west coast of India situated between the borders of Maharastra and Karnataka. It is better known to the world at large as the former Portuguese enclave on the Indian soil.

Goans live life in style. That is in short Goan life style. Rich or not so rich, they do not equate life with money. Goans work and earn and spend in dress, food, entertainment and festivals. Goans love rest. Their life is peaceful, not driven by modern day sentiments, anxieties, tensions and other ills of a fast life.

They are deeply religious. They follow family tradition and celebrate festivals with much religious fervour. Yet they are secular-minded. Goans share their joys and sorrows with others, cutting across religious barriers. In villages, during festivals, the whole village takes part irrespective of caste or religion and becomes a big family.

Food is their love. Pao, the bread, is ubiquitous throughout Goa. A gift of the Portuguese, Pao has become an essential part of food habit. Fish is another favourite and a must in a Goan's plate. Sea-food is a speciality.

Another Portuguese connection is that there is no prohibition in Goa. Goa's famous contribution is fenny, the drink prepared from the cashew apple. Fenny preparation is in fact a cottage industry in Goa. In villages, fenny is prepared in many a house. Drink is also cheaper than in other parts of India. Yet Goans drink within control.

Dance and Music is in their blood and tradition. Goans dance to the maddening lilting tune of Latino music and sing together. At the same time Indian classical music is so dear to the Goans that theirs is the land that produced some of the most revered names of Indian classical music.

With its significant Portuguese influence, Goa is considered unique compared to any other part of India. The proportion of Christians in the total population of Goa is much higher than that in most of the other States; the general way of living is also significantly different. Goa is more heavily influenced by the West; the people are relaxed and casual. Goans speak English, Konkani, Marathi and Portuguese. The majority of Goans are Hindus, but there are a significant minority of Christians and some Muslims.