The Gua In Our Paana

Picture Courtesy: ZeeNews

What’s panna without gua, betel-nut? No fun. The latter appears to have been an import from South-East Asia to Odisha. Betel-nut is quite popular in those countries. In rural areas of South-East paana and betel-nut are consumed as a habit. In Odisha, invites for important family occasions such as marriage to close kin is accompanied by the betel-nut. Both paana and gua have a special place in our cultural and religious rituals. Similar practice is followed by many in Philippines and Vietnam. This is specially in marriage rituals.