Crafts in Goa

The handicrafts in Goa are of various types and are mostly made with the help of naturally available materials like clay, sea-shells, paper, bamboo and brass. In fact the handicraft division in Goa has attained extraordinary proportions mainly because of the workmanship, organization and skill of the craftsmen. The other reason for the flourishing of this division is because of the boom of tourism in Goa. With the number of tourist’s multiplying in Goa there has been increase in the rush to carry back traditional Goan souvenirs. The government too has taken steps to further the cause of crafts in Goa. For this purpose the Government of Goa has set up the Goa Handicrafts, Rural & Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (GHRSSIDC). Now some 1,000 craftsmen are employed in about 500 units.

The uniqueness of Goan crafts lie in the background of Goa’s chequered history. The crafts of Goa mirror influences of Hindu, Muslim and Christian origins. However, the crafts do not mirror the distinctive elements of the different cultures; rather, they present a unified artistic amalgam. Apart from the materials mentioned above, wood, lacquer, jute, fabric, stone and coconut shells are also used to create some truly exquisite works of art.