Socio-Economic and Cultural Implications of Alcoholic Beverages among the Abagusi of Nyanza Province in Kenya

Abstract

Alcohol drinking has been part and parcel of the Abagusii culture since time immemorial. Indeed, it ought to be noted that alcohol consumption is a practice in almost all parts of the world. All societies have their form of alcohol. Douglas (1987) and Gefou-Madianou (1992) observe that the uses of alcohol, and the meanings attached to it, vary widely, while the act of drinking is present in every society. Alcohol has been used to change one's mood and as a socializing agent, especially during times of ceremonies. Among the traditional Abagusii, their alcoholic drink is called busaa. This drink is made from fermented sorghum grains that are ground to produce flour mixed with fermented maize flour; smoked and then dried using sunlight for one to two days. The drink made from combining the two types of flour is called busaa in Ekegusii, the language spoken by the Abagusii community. Its alcoholic content is estimated to be between 3%-5% (Silberschmidt 1991:63). Chang'aa is a much more purified form of busaa. It is mixed with balls of sugar and then heated and its moisture is passed through traditional filters before it comes out as a colorless liquid that is then called chang'aa. This drink has a much higher alcoholic content than Busaa estimated at 6O%-70% pure alcohol (Silberschmidt 1991:63). On rare occasions some brewers mix the alcohol, that is Busaa and chang'aa with opiates such as methanol. pethine and fentanyl. It is believed that alcohol with these opiates acquires some therapeutic properties such as that of being a pain killer, suppressing coughs, preventing diarrhea, and reducing anxiety. During the traditional period (pre-colonial time) alcohol drinking was reserved for the elderly and the respectable members of the community. Other members of the community could only be allowed to drink alcohol during special occasions such as weddings, circumcision, and funeral ceremonies. However, in the recent past alcoholic drinking has been transformed into an economic and social activity. Beer brewing and selling has resulted in a booming business out of which many parents have earned money for the education of their children. Despite this positive aspect, the beer business carries with it several negative aspects, emanating from processing and selling procedures observed by the people who participate in it. This paper intends to examine critically the socio-economic and cultural implications of alcoholic beverages among the Abagusii, a Bantu community living in Nyanza Province in Kenya. It would also make recommendations on the future of this beverage among the people.