Local Brew Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

On Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), I had gone hiking with a local boy who was working as a guide during his school break. Later that day, he invited me to visit his family in a small village near where I was staying. After visiting his family, we were walking back through the village, when I heard: "Hey mzungu (white person), come join us."

I looked, and there were about 15 or 20 men sitting in a circle around this bowl surrounded with tropical flowers set on a base of banana leaves. I sat down, and they explained that this was a local holiday tradition. They make a brew from millet and roasted maize. The solids from the brew go in the container in the middle, and every so often, they pour hot water from one of the jerry cans into the container to keep the brew at the right consistency. They drink it from these long "straws" that are made from local plants. A small filter is attached to the end, and the "straws" are decorated with wire.

After giving me some meat (from a cow they had slaughtered that morning for the occassion), a Coke and some sherry, they asked me if I would like to taste the brew. They laughed hysterically and took lots of pictures, watching me suck down this very tart, very yeasty, but kind of tasty brew.

siolaw has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PSL (113) 2004-01-29 11:20

Thanks for the explanation !
The scene is funny and unusual.
But the people in background are disturbing.

Jeppe (18623) 2004-01-29 15:20

Haven’t seen this type of party before - a funny image (sharp clear and bright) and an informative note - Thanks for sharing Mimi.

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2004-01-29 18:25

Hi Mimi!

Very cool subject (great note!). I think the pic is too cluttered though. There's people and houses in focus behind the men. It all detracts from the subject. I think a close up of one of the men sucking on or holding one of those funky straws would be cool (note: I always prefer tight shots of my subjects as you may know from looking at my pics). Or perhaps a shot taken from a higher angle (if you stand on a chair looking down), then you could have the men looking up with that weird contraption being at the bottom of the frame with it's tentacled straws stretcing out to them.

Guzman (577) 2004-01-29 19:45

Fine story to accompany you shot Mimi the "action" to speak centers around a very feminine center piece that I find amusing , noted I also that it looks like the "Sunday best" clothing has made an appearance, good daily life shot well done

ambibo1 (40) 2004-01-29 21:28

BOTTOMS UP! Their expressions, the colors and all those details - a very good documentary shot. Congratulations!

richtersl (3544) 2004-01-29 21:45

Now these men look like they know how to have a good time. ;-) Your note was excellent! The folks in the background are a bit distrurbing, but you don't always have control over that and I think you handled them in your composition very well.

iamxa (2840) 2004-01-31 9:17

He visto una critica tuya en español, asi que ...
Me parece genial la foto, es un retrato de lo cotidiano muy bueno. Los colores perfectos y la composicion tambien. Me fascinan tantas constumbres diferentes. Felicidades.

ianmcall (1213) 2004-02-27 20:32

I assume that is "modern" beer they are drinking while waiting on the homebrew! The floral center piece is a hoot; lends a little dignity to sitting around and getting loaded doesn't it?

I lived in Botswana and have seen similar homebrew, without the artistic touch of the flowers.

Good note; thanks.

freddd (435) 2004-03-03 1:16