Читать книгу Great Zimbabwe, Mashonaland, Rhodesia. An account of two years' examination work in 1902-4 on behalf of the government of Rhodesia онлайн

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Doro, brewed from rapoko (a red millet), is drunk very extensively by the Makalanga in this district, seeing that this part of the country yields grain in such enormous quantities. But the natives do not regard doro as a mere beverage. At new and full moons, or at the rising or setting of the Pleiades, which determine the sowing and harvesting seasons, doro is provided by the native farmers in lieu of wages, and on these occasions it is drunk most extensively by people of all ages. The men delight in gulping it down in quantities with the avowed and deliberate intention of getting drunk as soon as possible. The state of stupefaction induced by doro is one of their most exquisite delights. On Saturday mornings the one topic of conversation of the gang is as to how much beer they will drink on I’zhuba Kuru (Sunday), how soon they will get drunk, and what they will do when they are drunk. On Mondays, in spite of their “large heads” and sodden appearance, discussions take place as to who were the most drunk. The one who lost most control of himself is considered a hero. In their opinion the man who was most intoxicated honours himself, and can afford to boast.