Daman : People

The population of Daman district 1,12,949 (2001 census) and the population density is 1583 persons per square kilometer. More than 68 percent of district population resides in villages (21 in number) whose main occupation is fishing, agriculture and working in non agriculture sector. Number of females per thousand male (sex ratio) in the district is 591. The literacy rate is 83.6 percent.The majority population is Hindus with Muslims and Christians making a significant presence. The tribals (schedule caste and tribe) constitute about 12 percent of total population. The religious customs of the majority population are no different from the people in the adjoining Gujarat area.

Gujarati is the predominant language of this region and is the most widely spoken. The language of the official work is English. Hindi is understood by a vast majority of the people even in rural areas. English speaking professionals constitute a majority in business and hospitality trade. Only few can now speak the Portuguese language and it is a quaint dialect.

Daman boasts of a multi-faced cultural heritage – a fusion of tribal, urban, European and Indian culture. Customs of birth, marriage sacred thread, other ceremonies ad rituals are religiously observed. Tribal dances with caustic social comments are much in vogue. Various Portuguese dances are well preserved and still widely presented.