People of Daman

Daman and Diu represents a mingling of tribal, European, African and Indian cultures that is nowhere as obvious as in the dance, music and cuisine of this place. Different dance forms like the Mando, Vira and Verdigao trace their roots to traditional Portuguese dances and dances like the garba come from neighbouring Gujarat. Tribal dances with caustic social comment are very much in vogue. Some of the old families still maintain close ties with Portugal and younger members of these families go across to the former colonies of Portuguese Africa or Lisbon to study or work.