I am Sober

Santhals and Handi (rice beer) are inseparable. Use and misuse of Handi can be concise in two occasions, one during sacred rituals and other during festivity of Santhals. I think former is used to provide a source of happiness to Bonga-Buru (God and Goddesses) of Santhals. And later is used to provide a source of happiness to Santhals itself. In other words, Happiness of Santhals and their God depends on Handi. It’s my wild imagination to relate Bonga with Handi as I know Bonga may not be demanding to be worshiped with Handi only. It is the Ojha (Priest) who performs religious duties and ceremonies in SARNA (Santhal religion) demands Handi and adult male chicken offered to Bonga.

I have some unique attachment with handi though I never tasted (except once). I was fond of Para (daily market) since my pre-schooling time. Village Para include adult male Chicken fight, Handi sellers, rarefied gamblers, vegetable sellers and spectators. I was among the regular visitor to witness win-loss in cock fight, drunkard’s show, and gamblers. I wanted to experience gambling in cock fight and taste Handi. But in a small locality everyone knows everyone. I was scared to roam near cock fight area and Handi seller zone. One day population was thin due to probable rain and I took chance to taste Handi. Seller was from same village and her house was adjacent to mine. I ordered one full bottle with some snacks. She helped me pouring Handi in glass and took first sip. It was tasty and sweet, overall I liked it. I thanked her and about to take second sip…. I show my elder brother in-front of me. At the first site he asked casually “what are you doing here?”, “I am drinking water” I answered. But he saw the color of water and it was pale white. He understood everything in fraction of second. After that, we roamed in Para and went home back. During my study time, he gave me example of my father and other relatives, who never touched Handi in their life. He told me that, “when someone takes handi, he loses ability to learn, forget things easily and face difficulty in judgment.” That moment decided not to take Handi anymore. I never supported the idea of consuming Handi ever since that incident.