MYTHOLOGIES OF THE GOA TRIBES

In 1510, Goa was captured by the Portuguese general Alfonso Albuquerque from the Adil Shah dynasty of Bijapur, and Portuguese rule was established. In 1545 St. Francis Xavier, sent a letter to John III of Portugal, requesting an Inquisition to be installed in Goa. The inquisitor’s first act was to forbid any open practice of the Hindu faith on pain of death. The Portuguese colonial administration enacted anti-Hindu laws to encourage conversions to Christianity. Prohibition was laid upon Hindu rituals as well. In all, over 42 Hindu practices were prohibited. All the people above 15 years of age were compelled to listen to Christian preaching or otherwise be punished. Several Hindu temples were destroyed as well. An order was issued for suppressing the Konkani language and making it compulsory to speak the Portuguese language. The law provided for dealing toughly with anyone using the local language. Following that law all the non-Christian cultural symbols and the books written in local languages were sought out to be destroyed. In the first hundred years, the Inquisition burned 57 alive at the stake and 64 in effigy. Others were sentenced to various punishments, totalling 4,046. The Kudumbi were forced to migrate from Goa following religious persecution by the Portuguese during the said infamous Goa Inquisition. The Kudumbis, along with Gouda Saraswat Brahmins (Malayalam: ഗൌഡ് സാരസ്വത്), Daivajnas and Vaishya Vanis who wanted to preserve their religious and cultural identity, migrated from Goa along the west coast of India, primarily through sea voyages.

Gaudas and Kunbis are aboriginal people residing in the coastal Indian state of Goa. They are believed to be the original inhabitants of Konkan. Most follow folk Hinduism, but many were converted to Catholicism by the Portuguese missionaries during the Christianisation of Goa while still keeping their folk tradition and culture alive. In the late 1920s, prominent Goan Hindu Brahmins requested Vinayak Maharaj Masurkar, the prelate of a Vaishnava ashram in Masur, Satara district; to actively campaign for the ‘re-conversion’ of Catholic Gaudas to Hinduism. Masurkar accepted, and together with his disciples, subsequently toured Gauda villages singing devotional bhakti songs and performing pujas. On 23 February 1928, many Catholic Gaudas were re-converted to Hinduism notwithstanding the opposition of the Church and the Portuguese government. The converts were given Hindu names but the Portuguese government put impediments in their way to get legal sanction to their new Hindu names.

Tribes Of Goa

The 4 main tribes in Goa live in small groups in different villages in the state. They have made their lives work for them in spite of the world becoming modern. It’s interesting to see how they have kept their unique lifestyle, customs, traditions, ceremonies, religious beliefs and superstitions, frozen in time:

Gowdas

This tribal community is believed to be the first settlers in Goa. Unfortunately, there isn’t any written proof of where they came from although they have been linked to the Gowda community from Bengal as they seem to have similar customs and traditions. It is also believed that they took their name from the word ‘Gaon’ which means village in Sanskrit. Gowdas practice Hinduism but do not seem to have any hierarchical order and do not marry outside their community. In fact, they even allow for cross-cousin marriages between paternal and maternal cousins. Women play a major role in economic, social and political activities but cannot take part in any religious rituals, not even related to the deity worshipped in the household. These tribes practice Hindu religion and worship Lord Mallikarjun, a form of Lord Shiva.

Kunbis

Probably the most famous of the tribes living in Goa. The Kunbis are also believed to be among the earliest inhabitants in our fair state. They are known to be simple, hardworking folk and can be found in the interior region of Goa.  They tend to lush green fields and live in small mud huts with bamboo roofs adorned with coconut palm leaves or straws.  Kunbis are a prime example of a community living in harmony. These tribals live in little hamlets known as ‘kutumba’, from the Sanskrit word ‘kutumbakam’ which means a family.  Kunbis have a rich tradition of art and culture to which they attach particular importance. Their songs and dances are melodious, fluid and an explosion of color. The festival of Shigmotsav, held in February-March is the best way to showcase their talents. Kunbis used to practice Hinduism but were converted to Christianity by the Portuguese.

Velips

The Velips are thought to be a sub-caste of the Kunbis and also have certain traditions and customs in common with them. They aren’t found in large numbers and prefer to live in the more remote and rural areas in Goa. Velips can be found in the forest regions of Canacona, Sanguem, and Quepem. The joint family system is prevalent in their lifestyle which is supposed to make them considerably more economically stable.

Dhangars

Dhangars are believed to have migrated to Goa from Gujarat. Members of this tribe are quite pious and religiously worship their god named ‘Bira Deva’. These tribals are mainly shepherds or cattle herders and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Their dressing is proof of this as is the fact that they carry a stick at all times and are usually accompanied by 1 or 2 hunter dogs. This particular community of tribals practices polygamy with brides normally being purchased in exchange for cash or kind.

Tribes of Goa form an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of the state. Tribal communities of Goa have managed to retain their ancient and indigenous ways of life and traditional practices, customs and way of living. The chief tribes of this smallest state of India are Gowdas tribe, Kunbi tribe, Velips tribe and Dhangars. Like some other states of India, Goa too was invaded by the Aryans. Some of the tribes of Goa are considered as the original settlers of Konkan region much before the invasion of the Dravidians. There are no concrete records regarding the origin or how they have migrated to Goa. The tribes of Goa differ from one another in terms of dress pattern, rituals and customs. Goa, state of India, comprising a mainland district on the country’s southwestern coast and an offshore island. It is located about 250 miles (400 km) south of Mumbai (Bombay). One of India’s smallest states, it is bounded by the states of Maharashtra on the north and Karnataka on the east and south and by the Arabian Sea on the west. The capital is Panaji (Panjim), on the north-central coast of the mainland district. Formerly a Portuguese possession, it became a part of India in 1962 and attained statehood in 1987. Area 1,429 square miles (3,702 square km). Pop. (2011) 1,457,723.

Goa, with its sandy beaches, blue sea, and clear skies, is the perfect holiday destination. There are many things to do and many things to see during your stay in Goa. People of Goa are extremely warm, friendly, hospitable and inviting. They welcome tourists from all around the world with open hearts. The population of Goa also includes descendents from various ancient tribes. Many of these tribes are thriving in Goa even today.

Tribes in Goa are an integral part of their cultural heritage. 

The chief tribes in Goa include:

  • Gowdas
  • Kunbis
  • Velips
  • Dhangars

Tribal people in Goa have more or less retained their ancient ways of life – practices, lifestyles and customs. Though they are very much aware of their development of the outside world, they have always preferred to stay connected with their roots.

Three Vanarmare villages in Goa: It is nestled in the rolling hills of the Western Ghats. The winding roads leading to it are lined with pineapple, mango and coconut trees. Forests of acacia trees sprawl as far as the eye can see. It is quiet, untouched by tourists or traffic, a far cry from the bustling city of Ponda just nine kilometres away. About 15 huts, roofs covered with dried palm leaves and tarpaulin, line a dusty road. They are just big enough for families to sleep in. Clay ovens stand in yards that double as kitchens. The only audible sounds are those of birds, a great variety of them, and children playing in a nearby field.

Monkey hunters: The story of Goa’s Vanarmare tribe

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GOA TRIBES



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