Goa being a multi ethnic state in India, there is a medley of cultural and ethnic groups in Goa.

There are three major ethnic groups in Goa: the Hindus rank a predominant first, the Christians are second in ranking and the third are the Muslims. However, as far as art and architecture is concerned, Christian, especially Cathilic, influences predominate most of the existent works.

This is, however, an understood fact, because Goa remained under the Portuguese rule for quite a long time. Yet, given that the biggest of the ethnic groups in Goa belongs to the Hindus, it is evident that they have survived the onslaught.

There are several other religions and ethnic groups in Goa, but they form a negligible minority.

Hindus: 65%
Christians: 30%
Muslims and Others: 5%

The ethnic groups in Goa can also be classified in terms of the state they originate from. So the indigenous population in Goa comprises a medley of Maharashtrians, Gujratis, Portuguese and various other people. However, the Konkani tradition reigns supreme over all of them.

Last Updated on 4^th October 2010