A STUDY OF ZU (LOCAL RICE BEER) AMONGST THE KUKI OF ASSAM

This paper is about zu (local rice beer) and its significance in Kuki society. Zu was part and parcel in Kuki culture and any rituals and ceremonies was incomplete without it. Right from birth to death zu has witnessed their happiness, sorrows, victory, etc. But after the advent of Christianity such an important tradition was uprooted from their culture. It is not in practice anymore. It has rather been replaced by tea. To find out the main reason why such an important tradition which was part and parcel in every ritual, customary practices, life cycle events, and worshipping god has just been abolished is the main objective of this study. Has Christianity something to do with its abolition? If yes what does the scripture say? Or is the community itself responsible for not continuing this age old tradition? Are the types of questions that comes to our mind which will be answered in this study. It will also highlight the roles and importance of zu in animist Kuki society