Consumption of alcohol is woven into the fabric of many African societies. It is shared, given as gifts and used as objects to create bonds of trust within members of said communities.
Ceremonies such as marriages, births and initiations often include traditional African food and drinks – some of which are infused with alcohol or are fermented which increases its alcoholic content.
The Arab and African slave trades introduced European goods such as gin, brandy and whiskey. With this came the outlawing of traditional African brews.
Here are five pre-colonial African brews that were banned by European invaders and remain illegal:
