TRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS

These artisanal practices sustain the cultural heritage of Goa, central to the very soul of Goa

Various traditional practices and occupations in Goa play an important if oft neglected role in its economy. Though these communities are diminishing now, they play an integral role in sustaining Goa’s true culture, cuisine and history.

Poder: The traditional baker of Goa, baking bread in a woodfired oven. Render: The toddy tapper, a dying practice of climbing coconut palms to retrieve the sap of the tree. Furthermore, they also distil feni.

Paddekar: A traditional coconut plucker.

Nustemkar/Kharvi: The fisherman.

Chourickar: The sausage maker.

Khumbar: The traditional art of pottery.

Shettkar: The rice farmer.

Kamar: The blacksmith that makes knives, sickles, spades, axes and choppers.

Tambott: Crafting of copper utensils such as a confro (sanna steamer) and various pots and pans.

Ragddokar: The traditional carver of stone, pestles and mortars.

Mesta/Thevoi: The carpenter who builds traditional kitchen utensils such as coconut graters.

Mastri/Randpinn: Home cooks hired to cater for special occasions.