Indulgences

1. Urwagwa

   Urwagwa (banana beer / banana wine)

   Usage

   Made by fermenting the juice pressed from cooking bananas (umutobe w'ibitoki). A fruit wine made solely from bananas. Note: alcoholic, and the strength varies a great deal between producers

   Grammar Note

   A class 11 noun: the prefix "uru-" becomes "urw-" before a vowel.

2. Ikigage

   Ikigage (sorghum beer)

   Usage

   Preparation involves grinding sorghum (amasaka), mixing the flour with yeast (umusemburo) and water, heating it about three hours, keeping it warm for twelve and drinking it the next day. Note: alcoholic. More than sixty people have been hospitalised after drinking contaminated ikigage — it is safer to avoid home-brewed batches

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 (iki-) noun; the prefix stays "iki-" because the following consonant g is voiced.

3. Amarwa

   Amarwa (another name for sorghum beer)

   Usage

   Another name for ikigage. Many people call it "amarwa", a sorghum beer; in rural bars this word may be the one understood. Note: alcoholic

   Grammar Note

   A class 6 (ama-) noun.

4. Inzoga

   Inzoga (alcoholic drink; beer)

   Usage

   The general word for alcoholic drink, used for beer as well; the key word when asking about a drinks list or prices. Note: refers to alcohol

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 (in-) noun; the plural is identical in form and takes zi- agreement.

5. Itabi

   Tobacco

   Usage

   The word for tobacco. The scientific name is Nicotiana tabacum; names include “igikamba” and “itabi”. "To smoke" uses the verb "kunywa" (to drink; to smoke), as in "kunywa itabi"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 (i-) noun.

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