The recent news revolves around Judima, a home-brewed rice wine of the Dimasa tribe in Assam. It has become the first traditional brew in the entire northeast region of India to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This recognition also makes it the second product from the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to achieve this milestone. Earlier, Manipur’s renowned Hathei chilli and Tamenglong orange had been awarded the GI Tag.
Understanding Geographical Indication (GI) Tags
A geographical indication (GI) is a designation used to identify products that possess unique characteristics originating from a specific geographical location. It forms an integral part of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
In India, the GI tag is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, and the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai is responsible for issuing it. Once a geographical indication is registered, it remains valid for a decade. The GI tag’s significance extends internationally, as it leads to the product’s recognition in other countries, thereby boosting exports.
Key Points About Judima
Judima, a rice wine crafted from sticky rice known as Bora, holds pride of place among the Dimasa tribe of Assam. To prepare Judima, the rice is steamed and combined with traditional herbs called Thembra (Acacia pennata). The resulting wine has a distinctive sweet flavor that takes roughly a week to develop and can be stored for many years.
There are approximately 14 recognized Plain Tribe communities, 15 Hills Tribe communities, and 16 recognized Scheduled Caste communities in Assam. With the Bodos forming almost half of the state’s tribal population, Assam is known for its diverse tribal composition. Other significant tribal groups comprise the Mising, Karbi, Rabha, Kachari, Lalung, and Dimasa tribes.
Assam’s Recent GI Tagged Products
Besides Judima, other recent products from Assam that have been granted the GI tag include Kaji Nemu, a variety of lemon in 2020, and Chokuwa Rice of Assam in 2019. These recognitions are not just a testament to the uniqueness of these products but also serve to preserve and honor the state’s rich cultural heritage and traditional practices.
The acknowledgement of unique products like Judima, Kaji Nemu, and Chokuwa Rice through GI tags presents the diversity and richness of Assam on a global stage. This recognition preserves and promotes traditional knowledge, methods of production, and the unique geographical conditions that contribute to these products’ distinctive qualities. It brings immense pride to the communities involved in their production and boosts the export potential of these unique regional specialties.