Syncretic Religious Practices and Cultural Agglomeration Amongst the Goan Catholics

Abstract

Goa is the smallest and a popular state of India, situated on the Western Ghats between Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is well known for tourism, mining and fishing which are the substantial economic industries here. Konkani is the state language and Goa has population of 1.5 million of which 65 percent are Hindus, 27 percent are Christians and 6 percent are Muslims. It is part of Indian nation, however, its culture noticeably stands out from its neighbours. One can get some European glimpses caused by the Portuguese influence on its culture and topography. Goa remained a colony of the Portuguese reign between the years 1510 to 1961 which caused remarkable changes on its culture, especially religion, which transmitted the Catholicism along with the Portuguese. Goa then witnessed mass conversions of its people to Catholicism paving the way for interstate migration by Hindus and Muslim. While the present day Goan catholics are embedded in Roman Catholic religion, the pre Portuguese Goans comprised mainly of Hindus bearing its cultural and religious influences that have managed to survive amongst the Goan Catholics till date. The syncretic practices thus clearly evident in many religious practices, making Goa rich in cultural heritage will be explored in this paper.