Traditionally used herbs in the preparation of rice-beer by the Rabha tribe of Goalpara district, Assam

Abstract

Rice-beer prepared at household level of the aboriginal communities of Assam is served to all irrespective of age and sex. Certain plant species are traditionally used by the Rabhas of Goalpara district of Assam for the preparation of rice-beer cakes as well as rice beer. Goalpara district of Assam is situated on the southern bank of the river Brahmaputra. Several villages of the district are the homeland of some Indo-Mongoloid tribes like the Bodos, Garos, Hajongs, Karbis, Rabhas , etc. Rice-beer accounts for a major portion of the daily caloric intake of these tribes. These tribes traditionally use certain herbs for the preparation of starter cake to be used in the making of alcoholic drink or rice-beer. Numerically, Rabhas are the most dominant tribe of the district. The study is aimed for the need of a detailed study on the curative properties of the herbs used by the Rabhas for the preparation of rice-beer cakes and rice-beer, which may provide better and beneficial remedies for many ailments.