Another interesting feature of the tribal life of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Orissa is the home brewed alchohol.Handia is the cheapest and the most popular in these regions as it is made out of rice fermented over a period of time. Paddy being the main crop here there is abundance of raw material available all year round. This time around I came to know that a few drops of Handia is given to new born babies too. During death (which tribals do not mourn but indulge in merriment) handia is very liberally used and even a few drops are sprinkled on the body of the departed soul.
During seasons however you get two more poular varieties. These are known as mahua and salphi- the tribal version of single malt scotch!!
I had come across mahua in chhattisgarh however salphi tree was a new one for me which I bumped into in the proposed coal mine site of our company in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. This is the season when salphi blooms.
Here I am trying to pluck a salphi from a machan top. Had there been a few basantis around I would definitely have played Veeru to perfection.
Hic!!
Or should I more appropriately say," Jai ho salphi"
4 comments:
Cheers!
Looks like you might have had one too many by now :)
Interesting facts, AB
I've had in Phulbani what the Khonds call 'Sartha Kaalu'. In laymans terms, it is 'Kallu' or Toddy.
Have not had Handia, Mahua or Salphi yet.
Woh Sharaabi Kya Sharaabi, Jo Nashe Mein Na Rahe
Woh Sharaabi Kya Sharaabi, Aise Jo Tauba Kare
Woh Sharaabi Kya Sharaabi, Dil Mein Jiske Gham Na Ho
Loot Gaya Samjho Sharaabi Paas Jiske Ham Na Ho
Oh Salphi Salphi Re Salphi Salphi...
Aa paas aa, Rahe Na jaaye Koi Khaawhish Baaki!
Haule Haule sey Nasha Chadta Hain Haan!
What about Kiya Phulo Moddo ??? Which we find in abundance on way to Gopalpur and Konisi !
Well written...
Handia is common in Phulbani too. I presume this would be common across tribal areas in India.
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