Bhang

Process of making bhang into a drink
A bhang shop in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Bhang (Hindi: भांग) is an edible preparation of cannabis. It has been used in food and drink as early as 1000 B.C. in the region of South Asia.[1] Bhang is traditionally distributed during the spring festival of Holi.[2][3]

History

In 1596, Dutchman Jan Huyghen van Linschoten wrote three pages on "Bangue" in a work documenting his journeys in the East, also mentioning the Egyptian Hashish, Turkish Boza, Turkish Bernavi, and Arabic Bursj forms of consumption.[4] The historian Richard Davenport-Hines lists Thomas Bowrey as the first Westerner to document the use of bhang.[5]

Preparation

Using mortar and pestle, the buds and leaves of cannabis are ground into a paste which can be added to foods. For a beverage it is mixed with milk and filtered, then often flavored with kusha grass, sugar, fruit, and various spices. During festivals such as Shivratri it can be found in bhang thandai and bhang lassi. Bhang is also mixed with ghee and sugar to make a purple halva, and into peppery, chewy little balls called goli (which means "tablet" as well as "pill" in Hindi). Another form is bhanga chutney, a Pahari cuisine from Uttarakhand.

Culture

Bhang is an ancient part of the traditions and customs in India. In some parts of rural India, people attribute various medicinal properties to the cannabis plant. If taken in proper quantity, bhang is believed to cure fever, dysentery, sunstroke, to clear phlegm, aid in digestion, appetite, cure speech imperfections and lisping, and give alertness to the body.[6]

Bhang lassi is a preparation of powdered green inflorescence with curd and whey put in a village blender (a hand blending operation is carried out till the butter rises). It is regarded as tasty and refreshing. It is legal in many parts of India and mainly sold during Holi, when pakoras containing bhang are also sometimes eaten. Uttar Pradesh has licensed bhang shops, and in many places in India one can buy bhang products and drink bhang lassis.

The tradition of consuming bhang lassi during Holi is particularly common in North India where Holi itself is celebrated with a fervor unseen elsewhere. Bhang is heavily consumed in Mathura, an ancient town of religious importance to the Hindus. Here the practice is believed to have been introduced by the followers of Krishna and has stayed ever since. They begin the preparation by Sanskrit chants and recitation of prayers. In Mathura, some people take bhang to work up their appetite while others do it to de-stress. But the hub of bhang use is Khandwa where the bhang is prepared on its famous ghats.

Bhang is also available as bhang goli which is just freshly ground cannabis with water. Apart from this, sweetened bhang golis are also widely available; these are not considered a drug, but a traditional sleeping aid and appetizer. Bhang goli has metabolizing effects after approximately two hours, sending a user into a dreamlike meditational state. Bhang is also part of many Ayurvedic medicinal preparations. Bhang powder is available legally at ayurvedic dispensaries.

Legality

The 1961 "single convention on narcotic drugs" was the first ever international treaty to have included cannabis (or marijuana) with other hard drugs and imposed a blanket ban on their production and supply except for medicinal and research purposes. [7]

As Bhang has served such an important role in India's culture and spiritual practices it would be impossible to criminalise cannabis completely in the country. Important festivals such as Holi have traditionally seen people consume Bhang during various local festivities. Cultivation of cannabis is government regulated.

The cultivation of industrial hemp in Uttarakhand is legal.[8]

In the Tamil film Thalaivaa (2013), bhang drinks are featured in the song “Vanganna Vanakkangana”.

In season 5 episode 16 of the FOX television show “Bones” the forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (played by Emily Deschanel) talks about drinking Bhang during her time in India.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Staelens, Stefanie. "The Bhang Lassi Is How Hindus Drink Themselves High for Shiva". Vice.com. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Right kick for day-long masti". Times of India. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Holi 2014: Festival Of Colors Celebrates Spring (SONGS, PHOTOS)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Burnell, Arthur Coke & Tiele, P.A (1885). The voyage of John Huyghen van Linschoten to the East Indies. from the old English translation of 1598: the first book, containing his description of the East. London: The Hakluyt Society. pp. 115–117. Full text at Internet Archive. Chapter on Bangue.
  5. ↑ Davenport-Hines, Richard (2001). The Pursuit of Oblivion: a global history of narcotics 1500—2000. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. pp. 1–2. ISBN 0297643754.
  6. ↑ Holi Festival Tradition of Bhang
  7. ↑ "Recreational use of marijuana: Of highs and laws". timesofindia. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  8. ↑ "Uttarakhand To Become First Indian State To Legalise Cannabis Cultivation". Indiatimes. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
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