Hmar Chillies (Hmarcha Hmin) in Hmar Hills

Hmarcha - a tropical red hot chilli cultivated by the Hmar tribe - is spread out for drying in a jhum hut in Hmar Hills. Hmarcha is one of the main crops cultivated by the farmers for economic sustenance. A kilogram of dried Hmarcha was sold in the open market at various centres in the range of Rs 60-Rs 250 (as of 2013) in Northeast India. It is harvested four to five times a year depending on the soil, climate and attention. The unique taste of a green Hmarcha makes it very popular among the locals who used it for preparing chutneys, aachar and in seasoning of veg and non-veg curries. Photo contributed by Anonymous. (Please note, if you are the photographer, mention your name in the details while uploading it on the website.)

[caption id="attachment_879" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ripe and red hot chillies are being spread out for drying in a jhum hut in Hmar Hills.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1946" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Women harvest ripe chili at a jhum farm in Hmar Hills.[/caption]