Goan diaspora: Past and present

Abstract

The Goan diaspora since the beginning of the colonial period has been very active. The reasons could be seen in form of religious, social, cultural, and predominantly, economic. These reasons led to choosing of specific destinations. Educated or uneducated, people from Goa moved out in search of either better prospects or to avoid persecution. Considering the history of Goan diaspora we can identify many phases. Along with these phases places of preferences varied. Places which provided economic benefits were first preferences. Some of those places in India were Karachi, Mumbai and outside India were Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique etc. Amidst all this history of Goan diaspora there are changing preferences which have evolved over time. This research paper looks into the same. There appears to be a pattern among the Goans in selection of places to emigrate over time. The religion too played an important role in influencing these choices. But since liberation the patterns have changed further. The sources used in preparing this research paper included primary and secondary sources.