History tells us that Goans have migrated for centuries due to socioeconomic and religious factors, with migration patterns evolving from early movements to Indian states and East Africa to later waves of emigration to the Gulf, Europe and other parts of the world. Goans have today established communities worldwide, especially in countries that were once part of the British and Portuguese empires.
Over the years though, Goa has been playing host to a diverse population of migrant communities. These communities are well-integrated into the Goan society due to a combination of economic factors, the growth of tourism and industrial sectors in Goa, and shared cultural and social connections. The development of a deep sense of belonging and commitment to the new place is a natural human need and process, driven by the fundamental need for connection and safety.
While migrants are known to successfully integrate into their destination societies by learning the local language and customs, host communities welcome migrants by adopting inclusive policies and creating opportunities for them to participate fully in social, economic and civic life.
Migrants, in turn, nurture a strong desire to maintain their cultural identity, which includes their language, traditions and beliefs, as it provides a sense of belonging and psychological wellbeing. Hence we get to see a proliferation of migrant cultural associations in host societies!
These associations help migrants gain social support, facilitate access to essential information and services, maintain their cultural identity, promote integration into the new society and enable collective advocacy for their rights and interests. They also act as vital support systems, offering a sense of belonging, a platform for shared experiences, and a way to navigate the challenges of a new environment.
It is observed that for many migrant communities, temples or other religious institutions serve as a central point for social connection and belonging, providing a familiar cultural space to maintain religious practices, organise community events and foster a sense of unity in a new environment. Such institutions provide a sense of home and belonging by offering shared experiences, preserving traditions through festivals and events, fostering intergenerational bonds, and offer practical support networks for migrants.
Temples often serve as important community centres for migrants, functioning as hubs for spiritual practice, cultural preservation, social support and community building. In this respect, ‘Ayyappa temples’ across the country have given migrant Keralites a distinct identity of their own in their adopted lands. In Goa, Ayyappa temples in Vasco, Margao and Ponda stand in testimony to this belief! Sabarimala’s status and fame as a significant Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts devotees from across India today.
It is not unusual to have migrants frequently facing challenges with their mother tongue, experiencing language loss across generations, difficulties communicating with family members who may still speak the native language fluently, a loss of cultural identity and heritage due to language shift, and the pressure to assimilate into the dominant language. Emotional struggles such as guilt or frustration over not being able to pass on their native language to their children further compound the problems.
The ‘Malayalam Mission’ is a Government of Kerala initiative aimed at teaching Malayalam to Keralites residing outside the state and to promote the language and culture globally. The mission also organises teacher training programmes to ensure that instructors are equipped to deliver the curriculum effectively. It operates through numerous learning centres set up in conjunction with local Malayali organisations in various countries and Indian states, providing structured courses for different skill levels.
Over the years, the ‘Malayalam Mission Goa Chapter’ has been doing a wonderful job of promoting Malayalam language and literature among the migrant Malayali community in Goa.
Celebrating cultural festivals is a gala event for migrant communities, more so since the celebrations help maintain their cultural identity and strengthen community bonds. These events act as a cultural bridge, fostering a sense of belonging for migrants and promoting mutual understanding and cultural appreciation in their adopted lands. Most importantly these celebrations connect individuals to their roots and traditions.
The Malayali community in Goa celebrates ‘Onam’ with the pomp and gaiety that is so unique to the festival. The fact that these traditional festivities span over a period of two months and attract maximum participation by Keralites in Goa is indicative of the myriad number of associations organising them across the state.
As largely attended functions not only by Malayalis, but also the locals, such festivals act as perfect stages for cultural integration between migrant and host communities, fostering mutual enrichment and a more inclusive, multicultural society.
Umpteen other migrant communities have also made Goa their home and have contributed to the host society’s diverse cultural fabric by adapting to the local lifestyle and traditions. However, as a ‘Non-Resident Keralite’ settled in Goa for over five decades now, I have built up on this narrative with the idea of Malayali migrants at its core.
“A Malayali, no matter where he is, will always be a Malayali!” This phrase may well be generalised to express the strong sense of identity, cultural connection and heritage that all migrants maintain regardless of their location.
(Pachu Menon is a senior columnist and author based in Goa.)
