Food for Thought: Beer in a Social and Ritual Context in a West African Society

Abstract

The West African LoBir produce and consume beer in great quantities. This is because beer (called Dan) plays such a central role in the whole of LoBir life. After an overview of that life, more detailed description is given to show how beer is produced by women brewers; what role it plays in the LoBir diet; and particularly how beer is used as an important ingredient in social and ritual life.

For all the beer drinking, not many people get evidently drunk; “getting drunk” is a familiar concept among the LoBir, and certain individuals excuse behavior that only they can exhibit anyway because of their social position. What is finally shown by this is that the prodigious use of beer in social context increases the status of both consumers and producers, but that its overuse can decrease status.