Wine in India and Other Substances An Anthropology of ‘Entheogens’
Wine Cultures Gandhāra and Beyond October 8, 2024 Stefano Beggiora 1 citation
The history of research on psychotropic substances and hallucinogens has often been influenced by socio-economic trends, politics, fashion, and pop culture rather than pure science. This work traces that history, focusing on South Asia, from the unresolved mystery of Soma/Amṛta to early archaeological evidence of wine in Gandhāra. It also presents an ethnographic study comparing the production of alcoholic fermented products and traditional fermentation starters, along with their ritual uses, among the indigenous ādivāsī communities of India.