By IANS
Ranchi : Tribal community priests in parts of Jharkhand have launched a unique campaign against ‘handia’ (home-made rice wine), by announcing that rituals not be performed where the liquor and meat are offered as ‘prasad’.
In west Singhbhum district, tribal priests have decided not to attend marriages and other functions where ‘handia’ is served, and have demanded a complete ban on the sale of the liquor.
“Handia is part of our culture, but it has made bad impact on the people of our community. Tribals waste hard-earned money on liquor,” said Ganpati Sohrai, a tribal priest of west Singhbhum district.
“We have announced boycott of ceremonies to send a message among our people to stop use of liquor,” he added.
Echoing the same view, Gandura Munda of Dumka district said: “In the past, many tribals lost their lands to the moneylenders. Even today tribals are leading pitiable condition due to consumption of ‘handia’. Tribals feel content after consuming ‘handia’. And this makes them lazy and prevents them from hard work, and achieving anything in life.” He said, “We thought of launching the campaign to end the menace of handia.”
In tribal societies ‘handia’ forms an integral part of daily life and the priests’ move has invited sharp criticism from some members of the community.
“How can we leave our tradition? The priests have gone mad. ‘Handia’ is offered to our gods and we cannot leave the tradition,” said Karma Oraon, a tribal.
Another tribal, Neelkath Soren said, “We are against the priests’ announcement. We acknowledge that our men are victim of ‘handia’, but we cannot afford to end use of ‘handia’ in our prayer and daily functions.”