A Sip of ‘O’ amid Celebrations: A Sociological Study on the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages among Apatani Adolescents

Abstract

Alcoholic beverages among tribal populations are an integral part of the culture. Arunachal Pradesh known for its rich culture and food habits traditionally prepares rice beer holding socio-cultural significance for generations. This is also true for the Apatani tribe of Ziro Valley, where preparation and consumption of rice beer, locally known as ‘O’ is used during various ritualistic performance, social gatherings and festivals such as Murung, Myoko, and Dree etc. Today along with locally brewed alcohol, the valley is witnessing a transition towards popularization of factory-made alcohol as many wine shops and bars are being established day by day. This has utmost implications for the younger generations, especially adolescents group. Commercialization of alcohols has further introduced new dynamics leading to availability and accessibility of alcohols among adolescents. Thus, this paper deals with the evolving dynamics of alcohol consumption, its prevalence and impact on adolescents focusing on traditional festivals and modern influences. The study employs mixed-method approach with quantitative and qualitative methods, using survey as well as in-depth interviews with key informants and descriptive approach to analyse the narratives of the respondents. The findings indicate adolescents often initiate alcohol consumption at a young age due to factors such as imitating parents, siblings, as well as a coping mechanism towards loneliness and peer pressure. Though consuming alcohol among adolescents may seem like a phase that shall eventually pass, it has detrimental repercussions highlighted in the study.