Naga
King Chilli - FESTIVAL
News: The
Seiyhama village in Nagaland recently celebrated its third Naga King Chilli
Festival. This festival, which began in 2022, has grown into a cornerstone of
the village’s cultural and agricultural identity.
What’s in the news?
About Naga King Chilli
Known locally as raja mircha, the Naga
king chilli is among the hottest chillies in the world, reaching over 1 million
Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This festival, which began in 2022, has grown into a
cornerstone of the village’s cultural and agricultural identity. It belongs to
the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae.
Significance
It was certified as the world’s hottest chilli in 2006
by Guinness World Records. It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in
2008.
Economic Impact
This year's harvest is expected to be about 14,000 kg
and thus be capable of earning Rs 70 lakh.
Cultivation
The preparation for agriculture commences as early as
December or January with the choice of the bamboo grove. Transplantation
of seedlings is done in May, while the harvest season goes on between August
and September. It is these traditional methods, along with the way
the entire village takes part in agriculture as a commune, that
sustains the agricultural economy of the village.
Model for Sustainable Development
It illustrates how community participation, cultural
preservation, and agricultural promotion may coexist.
About King Chilli
- Also
referred to as Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia), it is a hybrid
chilli pepper, grown in Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur.
- It
is the offspring of Capsicum chinense and Capsicum
frutescens.
- Guinness
World Records labeled it the world's hottest pepper with a Scoville Heat
Unit rating of over a million SHUs.
- Capsaicin is
responsible for the ghost pepper's penetrating, pungent flavor.
Regional Names
- Bih
Jolokia: In Assam, it is also referred to as
"Bih Jolokia," meaning 'Poison Chili'.
- Tezpur
Chili: Named after the city of Tezpurin
Assam.
- Naga
Morich: In Nagaland and parts of Manipur.
Military and Security Uses
In 2009, the DRDO announced that they had
developed ghost pepper-based hand grenades for riot control.