page_title: Beer in India
section_title: Traditional beer
hierarchical_section_title: Beer in India / History / Traditional beer
caption_attribution_description: English: Lungzubel-a stone container made by Lamlira to store ZU (rice beer)in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya Lungzubel which literally means “Stone rice-beer container” in the Biate language, is a stone container used by the Biate people since ancient times, for preparing and preserving rice beers for festive seasons , the replica are also made in memories of the departed souls of their dear ones and placed near their graves , but this practice was however abandon after their conversion to Christianity. Earlier the lunzubels were used to be found abundantly in all the villages, and sites where-ever the Biates tribes settled, but since their conversion to Christianity and abandonment of this practises, most of the Lunzubels were destroyed or used as stone chips for building houses. However, a few of them can be still found at the Kharthong area in Dima Hasao District (particularly in Khobak Village) and some villages in Saipum areas of Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. It is pertinent to mention that along with the Lungzubel, the Lungmaicham (A sacrificial stone altar of the Biate for "Chung Pathian" - God Above and "Nuaia Malal" - Primordial God of the Earth), Lungsum(stone Grinder/mortar used by the Biate for grinding rice and seeds) are still found abundantly at Khobak ( a Biate Village). One can have a glance of it, while visiting Khobak. With a view to promote peace and harmony including boosting tourism in the district, Lungzubel festival was organised by the Biate Cultural Organisation (BCO) of Assam, in collaboration with 22 Sector Assam Rifles, State Tourism Department and Archaeological Department and a Haflong-based NGO named Make a Difference (MaD) Society, on September 15 at Khobak village. Khobak village, overlooking the slopes of Meghalaya, located in the picturesque hills district of Dima Hasao, about 130 kms from its headquarter Haflong, is the new tourist destination of Dima Hasao, especially for nature lovers. Thousands of people from all spheres attended the day-long programme that included pipe band display by the Assam Rifles and traditional dance by the local villagers belonging to the Biate community of Haflong. The event was also participated in by the Highlanders – the bikers’ Club from Haflong, who rode all the way from the city to the venue. Unfurling the National Tricolour during the event, NC Hills Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Debojeet Thaosen praised the organisers for holding such a successful event and promoting this place which has such a promising tourism potential. He added, “The word Lung-zu-bel signifies the historical remains of stone jars of rice beer. Such remains are found not just in this area, but also in other parts where the Biate earlier settled but inhabited now by some other communities of our district. This festival is a good initiative and it shall boost the tourist activities in the future.”
context_page_description: In India, traditional beer has been prepared from rice or millet for thousands of years. In the 18th century, the British introduced European beer to India. Beer is not as popular as stronger alcoholic beverages like whiskey. The most popular beers in India are strong beers.
context_section_description: The Vedas mention a beer-like drink called sura. It was the favourite of the god Indra. Sura is also mentioned in the Ramayana. Megasthenes has recorded usage of rice beer in India. Kautilya has also mentioned two intoxicating beverages made from rice called Medaka and Prasanna.
  Rice beer or handia has been traditionally prepared by various indigenous tribes of India, in which Ruellia suffruticosa is sometimes added for flavor. Rice beer also has ceremonial use among the Asur people. Millet beer is also prepared by some tribes. According to biologist J. B. S. Haldane, local beer helped in keeping diseases like beri beri checked in these tribes. Recently, government and social workers have been trying to curb alcohol usage among these tribes. Elephant herds have been known to attack villages to drink this rice beer for which they have acquired a taste.
caption: Traditional beer vats in Meghalaya
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