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Goan Culture |
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| Goa,
a former Portuguese territory, for more than 450
years is often described as 'The Rome of the East'.
It has over the past decades, become the dream
holiday destination, for many a foreign tourist.
More than 40 years after the departure of the
Portuguese, Goa is perhaps the most westernized
of all the states in Modern India. The majority
of Goans are very bohemian. Easy going in nature,
enjoying a typical 'tropical lifestyle'; including
the 'siesta', which is usually from 1pm to 4pm,
the hottest part of the day. Music, dance, drama,
food and feni, are a few of the things most Goans
are passionate about. |
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Religion |
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Religion
is very important to the Goans. Whether it is
Catholic, Hindu or Muslim. Churches, Temples and
Mosques abound wherever you journey in Goa. Some
of the churches are placed in spectacular, and
very difficult locations. Though, Goa is a multi-ethnic
state, Goans are very tolerant towards each other's
faiths; while unfortunately this is not true of
the rest of this country. |
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The
majority Hindu community and the sizeable Catholic
minority have lived in peace and harmony for decades
and centuries. They participate in each other's many
feasts. Many Hindus attend the novenas during the
feast of St. Francis Xavier (the patron saint of Goa),
as the Catholics take part in the zagors and zatras.
It is not rare to see young Catholics at local Hindu
temples during the feast of Dusshera. They consider
it auspicious to have their vehicles blessed by the
temple priest on that day.
A
few days before lent, many colorful carnivals are
held, in all the major towns in Goa. Then, a few days
later comes the Shigmo (Hindu festival of spring)
distinctive parades go along the very same streets,
with many kaleidoscopic floats and frenzied dancers.
On these occasions both communities participate. |
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The
People |
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| One
of the things that make Goa unique, are the laws, a
legacy that the Portuguese have left behind. The common
civil code, confers equal status to all religions, it
favors no particular religion. The law also accords
equal legal status to both sexes, in all matters. Perhaps,
this is why the local women and girls of Goa are not
so shy and reclusive, in stark contrast to the rest
of India. Most Goan ladies dress in western fashion
dresses and skirts, rather than the more tradition (in
India) Saree and Churidar. Of course being used to tourists
from around the globe, and the European influence of
the Portuguese are the main reasons for this. As part
of the Indian subcontinent where conservatism is traditional,
the Goans are flamboyant and out going. The women are
attractive and in step with the latest trends of the
west. The young men bear themselves with a distinct
air of machismo; they love football, bullfighting and
automobiles, they are quick to smile - or fight. Goa,
itself is often stunningly beautiful. The roadsides
are bright with cascades of bougainvillea; the forests
are alive with iridescent butterflies, and kingfishers
so brilliant that they seem to glow from within. Just
after the monsoons, in the flooded paddy fields, a horde
of workers can be seen preparing for the new crop. Yes,
Goa is a beautiful land, with wonderfully hospitable
people. |
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people of Goa are generally well educated; the
literacy rate is high. Despite this, the caste
system is up and running, in defiance of government
laws. Even the Catholics have their casts, borrowed
from the casts of their Hindu forefathers. Thus
one is not at all surprised to see a matrimonial
advert in the papers (or even on this site)
that reads; 'Wanted for Goan RC (Roman Catholic)
Brahmin bachelor…!' In spite of strict
laws against dowry, the system is still around,
albeit very hush-hush. |
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Sports
are very popular with the locals. Bull fighting (Dhirio)
used to draw huge crowds, but now the courts have
banned it. Unlike in Portugal, it is not man against
bull, but bull against bull. The Dhirios were held
in the local paddy fields, no walls or fences to separate
the audience from the fighting bulls. Consequently,
sometimes a spectator was gored or killed. For this
reason the fights were banned. Although gambling is
illegal, vast sums of money used to change hands at
these fights. The two main sports of interest now,
are the usual football and cricket. In Football, Goa
has got more first league teams than any other state
in India. On any given day there is sure to be a tournament
or match, in one or more of the villages.
The
staple diet of Goa is fish curry and rice. Unlike
the rest of India, most Hindus in Goa eat fish. In
the monsoons, when no fresh fish is available, most
Goans have very long faces. The other favorite dish
is pork, although chicken is a close second. In Goa
like many other places in the world, alcohol, for
some, is a major problem. The main cause of which
is FENI. This is the local drink in Goa, made from
either coconut sap or cashew fruit.
Goans
are very proud of their state, and are well prepared
to fight for its protection. Environmental issues
feature prominently, but often lack firmness in dealing
with issues related to government utilities, administrative
corruption and horrendous government services. |
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Music |
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| Goans
love music.It is an integral part of their lives. Music
in Goa covers a broad spectrum, from Portuguese music
to Techno to Rave and the now the (in)famous Goa Trance.
The local radio station AIR (All India Radio) mostly
plays music in Konkani, Hindi and English. Though occasionally,
we still get to hear some Portuguese music. The DJ's
are awful to say the least, talking far too long between
each piece of music. They read out endless lists of
requests, which, by their continuous stumbling, is clearly
unrehearsed. |
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Singers
and Tiatr (Goan Theatre) |
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Some
of the singers and dramatists, who have become household
names, include Prince Jacob, Alfred Rose, Tony King,
Kid Boxer, Souza Boy, M.Boyer, Emiliano D'cruz, Rosario
Rodrigues and J. B. Rod.
A
lot of the music churned out today (2 to 3 releases
per month) is from 'Tiatre' (Konkani theatre), which
are mainly melodramas about family and domestic life.
Each lyricist will offer his own explanation for life's
varied problems, often coloured by individual prejudices.
Although there are quite a few 'Tiartist' who produce
plays with political satire. Notable, is William de
Curtorim.
Love
became a theme, mainly in the songs of the Jazz artistes,
and the classy composer Chris Perry. His ballads,
immortalized by singer Lorna, remain all time favorites.
Lorna has now returned to Konkani music after a gap
of almost 28 Years. Bombay-based, Alfred Rose, is
believed to be among the first to actually cut cassettes,
and records of his music, with printed lyrics to accompany
them. |
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Economy |
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| The
Goan economy is highly dependent on tourism, which brings
in the much-needed foreign currency. This has caused
the mushrooming of hotels, resorts and other tourist
related businesses, all along the northern coastal area.
The exports of iron and manganese ores are also big
earners for Goa. If tourism is the bread and butter
then mining is the jam. In Goa unlike the rest of India
the mining industry is privately owned and not controlled
by the government. Sadly enough, Goa is also an exporter
of manpower. Most of those leaving its shores are highly
skilled in their respective fields. As a matter of fact,
Goa is more becoming like a "Retiree's Place". The Working
local Goan population is getting to be mostly middle
aged, as most young people are either working in the
Arabian Gulf region, or migrated to USA, Australia or
New Zealand. So this is Goa, amche Goem - its culture
and people. Want to visit? Book
your hotel now |
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