Marula beer to empower local brewers economically
With the beginning of the marula/mukumbi/vukanyi season, several traditional leaders and communities have started tasting the beer which is called U luma mukumbi/ukuluma/vukanyi or the taste of marula beer.
LIMPOPO – The marula fruit ripens between January and March each year and according to the Vhavenda tradition, traditional leaders and elderly men are supposed to taste the beer and then inform brewers to start brewing as part of observing culture and tradition.
One of the traditional leaders, Khosi Mukhesi Tshivhase of Tshidimbini village said as one of the traditional leader, he started tasting the fruit during a gathering in Muswodi-Dipeni in the Niani area on Saturday.
As soon as traditional leaders start tasting the fruit, it is regarded as a symbol of respect and encouraging communities to enjoy the beer peacefully.
“We now encourage marula beer brewers to start brewing and urge people to enjoy the beer peacefully.
“We will also have the gathering in the chief’ kraal, to have a ceremony called muhwedzo, where brewers will bring some beer to the chief,” said Khosi Tshivhase.
Tshivhase, who took over the Tshidimbini cooperative which was created by his late father, Khosi Tomboni Tshivhase, encouraged some brewers, especially those in the Niani area, to form cooperatives so that they can empower themselves economically.
“We hope from now onwards the marula brewers will have an opportunity to collect the fruit and start brewing the beer. The beer can be money making project, because some brewers will be able to smile all the way to the bank, this season,” said Tshivhase.
One of the marula beer brewers, Humbelani Mulaudzi of Shakadza village said with the ripening of the marula fruit, she and other women start making beer, which people can come and drink freely.
“We are pleasing our ancestors during this time and I invited my relatives, communities and traditional leaders to come to my home and taste the beer. I have over 10 years’ experience of brewing the beer and I never sold it, but it take it as time to gather with relatives and communities to celebrate the drinking of the beer,” said Mulaudzi.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Department has cancelled the annual Limpopo Marula Festival which was supposed to held in Ba-Phalaborwa in February. Zaid Kala, the Spokesperson, said the festival was cancelled in line with Covid-19 regulations.
