Postcards From Goa, Vol 1
Our SS '22 capsule collections are inspired by slow & mindful lifestyle of people of Goa. Susegad is a concept associated with the Indian state of Goa. Derived from the Portuguese word sossegado, it is often viewed as the relaxed, laid-back attitude towards life that is said to have existed historically in Goa, a former Portuguese territory.
“Goans have made susegad habits a part of their everyday life. It’s an automatic system, from the little things like buying poee (bread) in the morning to taking a siesta in the afternoon.
Habits that contribute to a susegad frame of mind arise from a combination of culture and climate. Goans have respect for the environment and recognize the role that it plays in their happiness, satisfaction and lifestyle.
You’ll find that most of the people who live in Goa are super aware of the weather and climate, whether it is a sultry summer day or a rainy afternoon in the fierce monsoon.
For example, before the monsoon, Goans will be seen drying the popular fish bombil or ‘Bombay Duck’ so that they have enough stock to last during the monsoon, especially when fishermen can’t go out to sea and bring in a catch every day. This tender fish, when fried to a crisp, is a staple side dish with xitt (rice, pronounced ‘sheet’) and kodi (curry). In summertime, Goans will have harvested cashews and distilled their first batch of urrak—a light alcoholic beverage that cools the body in the humid summers.
The humid climate of Goa makes one sluggish in the afternoons, and this is why you will find that Goans choose to have a daily siesta in the afternoon. The common misconception that this has given rise to is that the people of Goa are lazy. Rather, they are conscious of nature and the impact it has on their bodies. It’s tough to work in the high heat and humidity of the afternoon, so they choose to rest and resume activities later in the evening.
But these habits and activities are so integral to the lifestyle of Goans that it doesn’t feel like a task or something that must be done each day. Instead, it is a way of life; rituals they’ve integrated so deeply into their lives that they hardly notice them.“ - Excerpt from Susegad: The Goan Art of Contentment
“Goans have made susegad habits a part of their everyday life. It’s an automatic system, from the little things like buying poee (bread) in the morning to taking a siesta in the afternoon.
Habits that contribute to a susegad frame of mind arise from a combination of culture and climate. Goans have respect for the environment and recognize the role that it plays in their happiness, satisfaction and lifestyle.
You’ll find that most of the people who live in Goa are super aware of the weather and climate, whether it is a sultry summer day or a rainy afternoon in the fierce monsoon.
For example, before the monsoon, Goans will be seen drying the popular fish bombil or ‘Bombay Duck’ so that they have enough stock to last during the monsoon, especially when fishermen can’t go out to sea and bring in a catch every day. This tender fish, when fried to a crisp, is a staple side dish with xitt (rice, pronounced ‘sheet’) and kodi (curry). In summertime, Goans will have harvested cashews and distilled their first batch of urrak—a light alcoholic beverage that cools the body in the humid summers.
The humid climate of Goa makes one sluggish in the afternoons, and this is why you will find that Goans choose to have a daily siesta in the afternoon. The common misconception that this has given rise to is that the people of Goa are lazy. Rather, they are conscious of nature and the impact it has on their bodies. It’s tough to work in the high heat and humidity of the afternoon, so they choose to rest and resume activities later in the evening.
But these habits and activities are so integral to the lifestyle of Goans that it doesn’t feel like a task or something that must be done each day. Instead, it is a way of life; rituals they’ve integrated so deeply into their lives that they hardly notice them.“ - Excerpt from Susegad: The Goan Art of Contentment
