1. Relaxation and Entertainment:
Beer drinking was mainly for relaxation and entertainment. Among the Kamba, Kikuyu, Luhya and Luo, old men would gather in the evenings in the company of friends and sip brew within the confines of their compounds. These brews were taken in the evenings after a hard day's work and after one had ensured that livestock was safely home.
2. Celebrations:
In most traditional communities, traditional brews were prepared on special occasions. Among the Kamba, Luhya, Gikuyu, Luo and Kalenjin, beer was prepared after a member of the community had given birth as a way of welcoming the child, other occasions for brewed included initiation ceremonies and weddings.
3. Medicine:
People in traditional society also used drugs for medicinal purposes. These drugs were used in various forms. They were chewed, sniffed, smoked, boiled and drunk, inhaled or poured into bath water.
4. Rituals:
The traditional African community relied very much on the powers of unseen forces. According to Mbiti (1969:167), suffering, misfortune and disease's were caused by mystical powers. To combat them, specific rituals were performed and special drugs administered. During all these rituals) beer was poured on the ground as a libation to the gods.
5. Settling Disputes:
Disputes did occur in traditional society. They were mainly over land, livestock, behaviour and debts. Among the Luo, a leaner prepared a special brew, kongo, and presented it to his debtor. This drink was consumed as discussions were held between the loaner and debtor. It was believed that if one did not pay the debt as promised during the drinking session, calamity would befall his homestead.
6. Sealing Covenants:
Among the Kamba., Kikuyu, Luhya and Luo, local brew was drank after the sealing of land deals. Drinking together was symbolic. It was a body, particularly a son of the person who had sold land, sought to reclaim it, he was always reminded that wazee (eiders) had drank alcohol over that land. Among the Luo, this brew was referred to as kong ojttvk.
7. Social Status:
Most African communities believed that alcohol and tobacco consumption by elders helped to legitimize the status quo, differentiating the young from the old. Among the Kamba, Kikuyu and Luhya, only initiates and the married were allowed to partake of beer. Most communities believed that smoking or sniffing tobacco built confidence and helped one to face the challenges of life. Smoking of bhangs during war helped boost warriors' morale and rendered them courageous, thus improving their social status. Traditional communities also believed that opium encouraged young men to be industrious and hard working, thus improving the welfare of the entire community.
8. Friendship:
Among the Kamba and Kikuyu, tobacco was exchanged among families and elders as a sign of friendship. Among the Embu, a lady presented tobacco to a man as a sign that she accepted his love! Borrowing of tobacco among the Ameru was used as opening remarks to a conversation. A man could stop anyone, anywhere to borrow mbaki (tobacco). This was not considered an offence.
francis1897 answered the question on August 22, 2022 at 13:35