Goanese

Goanese, also Goan, is a demonym for people from Goa, a state on the west coast of India. The term Goanese is less common in contemporary usage, where Goan is preferred.

Goa lies on the Konkan coast, bounded by Maharashtra and Karnataka, with a coastline along the Arabian Sea. It was a Portuguese colony from 1510 until 1961, a history that left lasting legacies in architecture, place names, and Catholic communities.

The official language of Goa is Konkani, written in multiple scripts; Marathi and English are also widely used. The population is diverse, with Hindu and Christian communities forming major groups; Roman Catholic Goans constitute a substantial minority. Portuguese influence persists in surnames, rhythms, and certain rituals in some areas.

Goanese culture blends Indian and Portuguese influences, visible in cuisine such as vindaloo, xacuti, sorpotel, and bebinca, and in festivals like Shigmo and the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. Tourism and agriculture, notably coconuts and cashews, are important to the economy.

Goans have a global diaspora, notably in Portugal, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom. Goa became a state within India in 1987 and is known for its beaches, heritage sites, and developing tourism sector.