Goa Heritage and Culture

   Goa has a rich and varied Heritage and culture which is a blend of East and West. Goan artisans are among the best the world and produce splendid works of art in various fields. In the past, these were mainly based on European themes but now they are also based on Indian themes as well as a fusion or a mix of both.
   We wish to highlight a few items of Goan art and culture in these pages.

Religious carved Statue  Carved Religious statue

Goan Handicrafts

   The handicrafts created by traditional Goan artisans is a blend of Indian and Portuguese culture. Carved furniture, carved statues of wood and ivory were fashioned by local craftsmen according to European themes and styles but nowadays both Indian as well as western style items are available .
   Items range from shell-work to clay, bamboo, paper mâché, coconut items. Dry coconuts and coconut shells products are usually carved and designed to fit on a wooden base. The items produced in Goa include table lamps, flower pots, table clocks, different religious statues and decorative items.
   Pottery, terracotta, Brassware, Bamboo and Cane craft are some of the other types of handicrafts. Discarded sea Shells found on several beaches like Colva Beach also are transformed into works of art by skilled artisans.The potter's community scattered in certain areas of Goa like the Mandrem area of Pernem taluka of North Goa practice the the traditional clay art. They create utensils, pots, ashtrays, decorative flower pots, bowls, and other such items. Such skills are passed down from generation to generation.

Goa Church Feasts

   Each Church in Goa has its own patron saint and every year there is a Church Feast. The feast day is preceded by nine days of preparation called the Novenas. The day preceding the Novenas is the day of the Fama. The Fama involves hoisting the photo of the patron saint of the church atop a pole. The pole is planted in the Church square. More details are given in Goa Church Feasts

Carnival In Goa

   Carnival is celebrated for four days before lent, the Christian season of penance. Though now it is just reduced to the level of a Cultural and tourist festival it is nevertheless unique and not found anywhere else. Read more about Carnival in Goa.

Shigmo In Goa

   Shigmo is a big cultural festival celebrated around the time of Holi with float parades in all major towns of Goa. More details about Shigmo.

Cuisine of Goa

   The cuisine of Goa has a lot of Portuguese influence in it like most things in Goa. The staple diet of Goa is rice with fish curry. Coconut and Coconut oil is widely used in Goan cooking along with Chillies, pepper, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique flavour. Xacuti a popular dish made out of grated and fried coconut, Chicken and assorted spices is a favorite on festive occasions amongst the Catholics and Hindus alike. Pork dishes such as Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions among the Catholics.
   A rich multi layered sweet dish made from egg yolks, coconut milk, sugar and flour known as Bebinca is a favourite at Christmas. Cashew feni or Fenny, the most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree. Another variety of Feni is Coconut Feni which is made from the toddy (sap) of Coconut palms. In case you wish to know more we have all details in Cuisine of Goa. We also have a selection of Authentic Traditional Recipes of Goa.

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