Occupation of Goa

Being the coastal area, the main occupation of the people of Goa is fishing. Once the fact of being in the coast Goa also boasts of a fertile area and so agriculture is also practiced in this area. Some of the commonly cultivated crops here includes like long-length bananas, paddy, ragi, maize, jowar, bajra, pulses, the cash crops like coconut, cashew nut, arecanut, mango, jackfruit, banana, pineapple, etc. However, one of the most important crops cultivated in the villages of Goa is cashew. Mango cultivation is also known among Goans and includes various varities like manicured, mussarade, colaco, etc. Goa known for its princely beauty tourism also becomes a principal occupation of the villages. They work as a tourist guides, or run their own businesses in the beaches and they are also engaged in providing lodging facilities to the tourists.

Traditional Dresses of Goa

The pristine and romantic beaches of Goa are immensely popular among the domestic as well as international tourists. The fusion of the eastern and western culture is aptly reflected in the dressing style of the Goans. The various dresses of the Goans are as follows :

• Nav Vari - A 9 yard saree, which is worn along with attractive accessories.
• The fishermen of koli wear brightly colored shirts, half pants and bamboo hats. This dress has become very popular as a signature Goa dress and is worn by numerous tourists.
• Valkal - A string of beads and leafy loincloths, which is still prevalent in the tribal life.
• Kashti - A traditional attire worn by the Dhangar, Gauda, Kunbi, Velip and Zalmi tribes along with Kunbi palloo or the tied knot and saree. 
• The Goa Carnival is very popular for the colorful exhibition of dresses it showcases. The vividly colored costumes and props, which are based on theme are very famous.
  

Festivals in Goa

Fairs and festivals in Goa are really a refreshing experience for the town dwellers as well as the visitors to the enchanting beach town. Various festivals and events in Goa are celebrated with all the pomp and show. The long list of the most popular fairs and festivals include monsoon festivals Goa and new year celebrations in Goa and the festivals  of three kings feast.

• Christmas : Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. People make it a point to go and attend the mass at midnight and after this, they decorate their homes with Christmas tree, cribs, stars as well as amazing lighting. People also eat sweet and give gifts  to their family members and friends.
• Shigmo : This festivals is celebrated during springtime and the celebrations extend to five days. People also call this festival as Shigmotsav and all its festivals come along with the festivals of holi. During this festivals , honor is paid to various warriors to return to their homes after defeating the invaders. At this time, people play with colours. People hold umbrellas as well as small sticks and enjoy dancing.
• Sao Joao Festival : This is a festival that is celebrated with much cheer on 24th of June every year since during this day the catholic community pays honor to St. John the Baptist. The festivities involve a number of folk dances that are referred as Sangodds .The people of the village, mainly the young people make it a point to wear leaves and fruit laden crowns. People also present fruits to their in laws as well as friends.
• Diwali :  Diwali is a also a significant festival of Goa. On this day, it is believed that lord Krishna killed the demon named as Narkasur ruling in Goa, through his sudarshan chakra, Therefore, the festival is celebrated with ythe burning of the effigies of Narkasur that is mainly done at down. Hindus make it a point to light up their houses and to wear new clothes.
• Ganesh Chaturthi : This festivals is related to lord Ganesh and his birth. People embellish and clean their homes as well as the places where they worship the lord. Amazign idols of the lord are made by the people of the villages and also, this is a time when people get together, share gifts, have fun and enjoy to the fullest.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC OF GOA


The traditional Goan musical instruments include dhol, tabla, ghumat, dholak, kasale, shehnai, tasso and tambura. Being part of Portugal for 450 years led to the introduction of the piano, mandolin and violin to Goa. Other instruments such as the drums, guitar and trumpet were also widely used. Schools in this period taught pupils at least one such instrument. It is said that Goans have music in their blood, a statement further strengthened by the role music and dance plays in Goan culture. Popular folk dances such as the Portuguese Corridinho are still part of Catholic weddings.

Konkani song may be classified in four groups; one which draws on the more pristine form in music and verse, as in the fugdi or the dhalo; the second which blends western and native music but retains konkani lyrics as in deknnis; the third which blends native and western music as well as language as in dulpod; and the fourth which has a marked influence of western music and lyrics with borrowed Portuguese words as in mando.

As many as types of konkani song have been classified. These include banvarh, deknni, dhalo, duvalo, fugdi, kunbi song, mando, zagor song. The Christian hymns and Hindu religious songs are also characterized separately with the former related to contemporary western styles.

• Dekni is a song which originated in Baedez and Salcete.
• Dhalo is a wedding song
• Fugdi is a dance song performed on religious occasions, particularly in honour of the deity Ganesha
• Mando is a dance song whose major theme is love, the minor ones being historical narratives, social injustice and political resistance during the Portuguese presence in Goa
• Zagor song is sung in kunbi folk plays depicting their own life.
  

Goan Cuisine

Goan cuisine consists of regional foods popular in Goa. Rice, seafood, coconut, vegetables, meat, pork and local spices are some of the main ingredients in Goan cuisine. The area is located in a tropical climate, which means that spices and flavors are intense. Use of kokum is another distinct feature. Goan food is considered incomplete without fish. Rice with fish curry is the staple diet in Goa. It is similar to Malvani or Konkani cuisine. Goan cuisine is renowned for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil is widely used in Goan cooking along with chilli peppers, spices, and vinegar giving the food a unique flavour.  An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as khatkahate, is very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals; Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special. The most popular alcholic beverage in Goa is feni; cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms.

Popular Goan Hindu dishes include:

•   Humann – Fish curry and rice also known as kadi or ambot
• Fried fish
•   Fish suke or dhabdhabit – Dry spicy preparation of fish, eaten as a side dish
• Solachi kadi - A spicy coconut and kokum curry
• Different varieties of sweet made from rice and lentils, such as payasu, patoli, madgane, kheer, etc.