TheCulture ofGoan Catholics is a blend ofPortuguese andKonkani cultures, with the former having a more dominant role because the Portuguese ruled Goa directly from 1510 to 1961.[1]
Goan curries use a lot ofcoconut,coconut oil and curry leaves whilechili peppers,spices andvinegar are also used. Fish curry and rice (Xit kodi inKonkani) forms thestaple food of the community.Goan Catholic cuisine has distinct Portuguese influence as can be seen inSorpotel, apork dish often served withSannas (steamed rice cakes) as the main dish at wedding dinners andChristmas dinner, whilePão comChouriço (bread with Goan porksausage),Chouriço Pulão (Goan pork sausagepilaf),Vindalho,Aad Maas (pork ribs),Assado de Leitão orAssado de Porco (roasted pork) andCarne Assada (roastedbeef) are also popular. Goan Catholics mix pork blood and other organs in most of their pork delicacies as can be seen fromCabidela.Xacuti (pronounced[shakuti]) is dish originally from Goa prepared with eithermutton, beef, pork orchicken.[2]Canja de galinha andFrango à cafreal (Chicken cafreal) are well-known chicken dishes. Beefcroquettes, beef potato chops and prawnrissoles are common snacks. Roast beef and beef tongue are popular entrees at Goan celebrations.
The traditionalNalachi kodi, (literally coconut curry) is a curry made with coconut juice. The Goan fish curries, prawn curry and fried fish preparations are renowned in the whole of coastal India.Solantulem kodi, a spicy coconut andkokum curry is also popular.Ambot-tik (a sour curry dish) and theJeerem-Meerem (a spicy curry, which uses jeera and other spices) are prepared with either fish or meat.Chamuças is a Goan derivative ofsamosa, which is usually filled with minced beef or pork and eaten as a snack.[3] The traditionalMolho de Peixe (Fish pickle) andBalchão (prawn pickle), originally fromMacau, are famous Goan fish preserves.
Vegetable-based dishes likeKhatkhate (a vegetable stew),Tondak (beans combined with cashew nuts) andCaldo verde (a soup) are also popular. Sweets likeBebinca,Dodol,Tizann,Godshem,Patoleo,Cocada,Goiabada,Maçapão (cashew nutmarzipan),Arroz doce,Fios de ovos, etc. are well-loved by Goan Catholics.Consoada (Kuswar) is a term used to describe a set of sweets which are distributed to family, friends and neighbors by members of the Goan Catholic community during Christmas.
Portuguese names, having variants in both Roman Konkani and English, likeMiguel (Michael) andMadalena (Magdalene) are common among Goan Catholics.[4]Portuguese surnames (like Lobo,D'Souza,Rodrigues, Fernandes andPinto) are standard among Goan Catholics because of theChristianisation of Goa during Portuguese rule.[5]
| Goan Catholic variant | English variant | Portuguese variant | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koinsanv | Concepcion | Conceição | Immaculate Conception | Female |
| Foransik | Francisco | Francisco | French (man) | Male |
| Zuvanv | John | João | God is gracious | Male |
| Bosteanv | Sebastian | Sebastião | Revered | Male |
| Mori | Mary | Maria | Beloved | Female |
| Rakel | Rachel | Raquel | Ewe or one with purity | Female |
| Anton | Anthony | António | Flower | Male |
| Jebel | Elizabeth | Isabel / Elisabete | My God is my oath | Female |
| Zoze | Joseph | José | The Lord will add | Male |
| Source:English-Konkani Dictionary[4] andA History of Konkani Literature: From 1500 to 1992 (2000)[5] | ||||
Goan Catholics have strong feelings towards theKonkani language, which is often venerated in literature, and in particular toRoman Konkani. It has historically been, and to a large extent still is, central to the Goan Catholic identity. They speak Konkani, which is anIndo-Aryan language, belonging to theIndo-European family of languages, spoken predominantly on the west coast of India.
The Konkani spoken by Goan Catholics has a larger infusion of words ofPortuguese origin as compared to the Konkani spoken by other communities.[6]Portuguese is still spoken as a first language by a number of Goans, though it is mainly restricted to upper-class Catholic families and the older generation. However, the annual number of Goans learning Portuguese as a second language has been continuously increasing in the 21st century.[7] Increasing numbers of Goan Catholics also speak English as their first language due to its replacement of Portuguese as an official language.
Some Goan Catholics have retained certain Hindu customs regarding marriage.
These ceremonies are followed by the traditionalCatholic wedding mass and finally the Wedding Reception. The women at a typical Goan Catholic wedding generally wear gowns/dresses while the men (including the bridegroom) are attired in western-style suits. The bride always wears a western-style virgin-white wedding gown. Contemporary Goan Catholics typically have aWhite wedding. The bridal entourage usually consists of theMaid of Honour,Bridesmaids,Best man andGroomsmen. Ballroom dancing and live western-style band music are an integral part of a Goan Catholic wedding reception.
In addition to common Christian festivals like Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter, the community celebrates many other festivals of religious and historical significance. The Feast of SaintFrancis Xavier on 3 December is the major religious feast of all Goan Catholics.[16]Konsachem fest (harvest festival) involves blessing of new harvests.[17] TheZagor (nocturnal vigil inKonkani), mainly celebrated inSiolim, inBardez taluka ofGoa is a festival highlighted by dance, drama and music.[18]
Moti Fest is another major festival, mainly celebrated inChinchinim, Goa on 8 September, which celebrates theNativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[19] Other important religious feasts include Mãe de Deus Church atSaligao, Feast ofPassion of Christ at Siridão, Feast of Holy Cross atAldona, Feast of theHoly Spirit Church atMargão, Procession of Saints atGoa Velha,São João (Feast ofSt.John the Baptist), Feast ofSt. Peter, Bonderam atDivar andSangodd (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul) at Cumbharjua.
Contrary to popular belief,Goa Carnival is a commercial festival in Goa. Its current form (King Momo, floats, etc.) was created only in 1965 to attract tourists.[20]