Alcohol in Nepal


Alcohol is not illegal in Nepal. The mixed society, coupled with caste and multiple ethnic results in extremely complex social behaviour. Based on the caste and religion, there are two types of people in Nepal depending upon alcohol uses. The group of people who do not drink or use alcohol are called Tagadhari , and the other group who drink alcohol are galled Matawali. Generally, the Brahmins and Kshatriyas are the Janai wearer and do not drink alcohol, but with the exception of Matwali Chhetries of Karnali who are permitted to use alcohol. Matwali uses alcohol for their traditional purposes and generally brew alcohol by themselves. People such as Thakalis, Gurung, Tamang, Newars use alcohol freely.
Traditionally, in the group of Matwali, male are allowed to drink freely while women are somewhat restricted to use alcohol.

History

In Hindu culture, alcohol is often described as Soma. In the epic of Ramayana and Mahabharata, there are mentions of drinking alcohol by god and goddesses as a recreational food. In ancient and medieval Nepal, the Kirats, Shakyas, Lichhavis etc had already made a Trade relation with Tibet, India and China from where drinking culture probably entered Nepal. The Lele inscription of Shivadev I and Amshuverma dated 526 AD mentioned alcohol as Paniyagosthi. In the inscription of Jayalambha dated 413AD, the word Karanapuja is used referring to the alcohol; the inscription was found near Pashupatinath Temple.
The Christian Father Ippolito Desideri, who travelled Nepal had a written account of a pungent smelling liquor made from millet. He also mentions about arac, a drink made from wheat or rice.
In modern Nepal, the Maluki Aain of 1854 categorically classified Nepalese society into five categories. One of it was the Tagadhari who were not allowed to drink, while rest four were allowed to drink. In the modern constitution, however, there is no such distinction and everyone is equally allowed to use alcohol-based on their personal preference.

Tradition and religion

Alcohol is used for various rituals by various indegeneious communities especially the one influenced by Tantric methods. Some are described below.

Sherpas

uses alcohol in marriage and festivals extensively. It is also given to the new mothers as Dejyang. When used as a business settlement, it is called Chhongjyang.

Newars

Ha Thon is a festival to worship Swyeta Bhairab in which the Samayabji and Aila is distributed as the blessing of Bhairab. Alcohol also forms a part of Sagan.
In gathering and festival, liquor is generally served by a female.

Tharus

During the marriage, alcohol is offered to deities called Deuryar. In the hair cutting ritual celebrated in Falgun, alcohol is offered to deities to accept the ritual's starting. Drinking and dancing are one of the core cultures of Tharus.

Rai and Limbu

In Rai community, a marriage proposal is not accepted by Girls family unless the groom sends them alcohol in three occasions as Sodhani, Multheki and Bhakah. Limbus also use alcohol for various rituals and to worship gods and goddesses. There is even a specialized person called Bhalamansa whose duty is to prepare beer and wine and serve to the guests.

Tamang

Groom need to send 18 or 12 bottles of liquor to bride's house for marriage known as Chukunlah Pong. When someone dies, alcohol is offered to the deceased. The daughter brings alcohol to serve the funeral participants.

Magar

Couples are not allowed to go bride's home after marriage without taking wine and a leg of goat. This is called Duran

Gurung

Similar to Rai culture, Gurung family's marriage initiation also starts by sending alcohol to the bride's family by the groom. They also use alcohol as an offering to the decesed person.

Phrases describing alcohol

Beer

A typical traditional beer brewing technique in Nepal consist of following steps:
  1. The grain is wetted for few hours and then kept in a large earthen pot with holes in bottom '
  2. It is then transferred to copper vessel ' and boiled in hot water for about two hours
  3. After boiling, it is cooled and a piece of charcoal and chilly ) is kept over the grain to protect it from evil
  4. Yeast is added and let the grain for fermentation
  5. after a week, the mix is put in an earthen pot and covered with leaves in the top and sealed. At this point, the grain is called Haja or Ium
  6. Water is poured after about four days in the process called La Tayagu
  7. After about six hours, liquid changes to beer

    Consumption

According to stastistics, about 115kg of rice is used to brew alcohol by Newar family annually, 110kg by Sherpas, 160 kg by Khumbu and Rolwalingis. Tamang uses 80kg and 400 kg by Tharus.

Industries

Alcohol industry is one of the fastest-growing industry in Nepal. There are 36 alcohol producing industries in Nepal as of 2000. These industries produces alcohol with concentration of 20%, 34%, 40% and 42.8%. Similarly, beers are produced with a concentration of 5 to 7% alcohol. The total production capacity is about 42 M liters per year. Besides, alcohol is also impoted from Europe, America and Japan.

Regulation

Production and consumption of alcohol is controlled by the Madira Aain 2031. Licence is required to sell alcohol. However, it permits brewing and consumption for household purposes without a license.
In 2017, a regulation was passed to set minimum age of 21 for alcohol purchase, regulate time of alcohol sales, require licensing of alcohol outlets and impose a ban on all kindsof alcohol advertisements and promotions. It also includes pictorial warning singn in the label of alcohol.