Ethnic Study on Bastenga, A Fermented Bamboo Shoot Product of Nagaland, India

Bamboo shoots are a local delicacy among the Naga tribe of Nagaland, India and the art of fermentation methods marks the ethnic diversity within the region. Bastenga, a fermented bamboo shoot product of Nagaland celebrates its existence in the culinary practice of tribal homes and forms an integral part of their livelihood. Womenfolk representing various tribes from different parts of the state were interviewed through questionnaires to document the traditional methods of preparation of bastenga by the various tribes. The ethnic tradition built around bastenga involves men collecting tender shoots from the wild whereas the preparation involves women and children. The traditional knowledge is mostly passed from mothers to their daughters. The indigenous method of preparation varies among the different tribes, while most methods overlap. Data on gastronomy provide cumulative information across the state. The tribal communities share a common gastronomy, which further contributes to the socio-economic and cultural ethnicity of the region.