A STUDY ON THE USE OF TRADITIONAL ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES OF ASSAM

Abstract

Most of the ethnic groups of Assam in the north-eastern part of India possess the tradition of preparing rice beer. It is one of the rituals of the tribal communities to host the guests with traditional alcoholic drinks. The preparation and use of drinks are predominant in the tribal societies of the state. The people belonging to Bodo, Mishing, Sonowal, Deori, Rabha, Dimasa ethnic groups take these beverages as an integral part of their culture and tradition. Most of the tribes consider these alcoholic drinks as essential in their religious functions, festivals and rituals. Not only in Assam, the use of such drinks is widespread among other tribal communities of northeast India. They have different processes of preparing drinks. The names of these traditional drinks also differ from tribe to tribe.