At least 350 tribal women on every Saturday, Monday and Tuesday gather in Duburi Chhak near the National Highway under Sukinda block of Jajpur district to sell Handia.
The main objective of the market is to provide Handia to people who wish to consume it outside their homes. The tribal people are so used to Handia that they also require it when they are away from their homes. It is noteworthy that the Handia haat is always held at a distance from the main haat, said Sita Munda (43) a vendor.
This haat is completely separated from the main market. On Saturday and Tuesday, there is also the general haat at Duburi to which people from nearby villages come to purchase vegetables, cereals, pulses and clothes etc.
There is a get-together of people from different villages. In this situation, the tribal women bring Handia for marketing purpose and sit separately from the main market. After selling their Handia, they purchase basic things at the market. It is seen that the tribal women mostly dominate the Handia haat, while the general market is dominated by males. Some of the young women coming to the haat to sell Handia are dressed up in all their finery to attract customers, said Madhi Eka (54) of Sukinda. Shanti Munda (45) of Kankadahat in Dhenkanal has been selling Handia in Duburi haat for last 12 years.
Summer is the best season to sell more Handia as many truck drivers and locals prefer to drink Handia to quench thirst. “I earn `500-`700 by selling a thousand liters of Handia per a day. I provide education to my three children by selling Handia,” said Shanti.
like Santi at least 350 women eke out their livings by selling Handia in the Sukinda haat. Sometimes businessmen and cultivators order Handia from tribal women; so they can provide Handia for their labourers, and attract them to work for them. Also, during social functions, households sometimes order Handia from tribal women, to serve their guests and relatives, said Matuli Sukru (34).
Each day, the women sell 50,000 liters of Handia worth of Rs 3 lakh. The term Handia is used for local consumption. It is a country liquor made from fragmented rice with toxic herbs. Handia is regarded as a popular drink among the tribals, said Ramachandra Tikra (56) of Kankadahad.
The tribal people take Handia as an important drink at breakfast, lunch and dinner. One can manage for 10 to 15 days without any other food. During the summer season, Handia saves the body from sunstroke. By drinking Handia, the tribals become more energetic during work. Similarly, in the time of cold, it heats the body, said Shayama Munda (53) of Duburi.
It also compensates for the deficiency of food for as many as for 10 to 15 days for tribal people who cannot get even one meal a day. So Handia is regarded as a supplementary food for tribals. Nowadays, other caste people also consume Handia for intoxication. As a result, Handia has become commercialized gradually. But these consumers do not allow their children to consume Handia, said Samala Deuri (42) of Sukinda.
Under the provisions of Excise Act 1915, one can sell and purchase Handia within the limits of 7 kg or liters undiluted and 18 kg or liters diluted. If one sells or purchases the amount beyond the limit, that will be treated as an offence and he/she will be accused under excise offence 47 (A) of B & O Excise Act 1915, said a senior excise official here.