Tonto (drink)

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Tonto (also known as Mwenge Bigere) is a traditional fermented alcoholic beverage indigenous to Uganda primarily made from bananas. Also known by various local names including mwenge bigere and tontomera, the drink holds significant cultural importance in Ugandan society and is considered one of the country's most beloved traditional beverages. [1] It is one of several banana-based alcoholic drinks in Ugandan culture, alongside others such as Waragi (a banana-based spirit) and banana wines. Tonto is widely consumed in the banana-growing regions of central and western Uganda. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Production process

Tonto production begins with specific varieties of bananas traditionally used for brewing. The most common local banana varieties employed include kisubi, ndizi, musa, kivuru, kabula, and mbidde. [5]

Tonto has an alcohol content ranging from six to eleven percent by volume, making it a mildly alcoholic beverage. The exact alcohol content can vary depending on the duration of fermentation and the specific ingredients used. [6] [7]

The traditional production method involves several key steps: [8]

  1. Ripening: Green bananas are placed in a pit and left to ripen over several days
  2. Juice extraction: The sweet juice is pressed from the ripened bananas
  3. Filtration: The extracted juice undergoes filtering to remove impurities
  4. Fermentation: Grains of roasted sorghum are sprinkled into the filtered juice, which converts the natural sugars into ethanol through fermentation
  5. Maturation: The mixture is left to ferment for up to two to four days, producing the final alcoholic beverage [9]

Tonto has an alcohol content ranging from six to eleven percent by volume, making it a mildly alcoholic beverage. The exact alcohol content can vary depending on the duration of fermentation and the specific ingredients used. [6] [7]

Cultural and economic significance

The production and sale of Tonto also provide a significant source of income for many families in these regions. Small-scale producers often sell the drink locally, contributing to the local economy and sustaining livelihoods. Tonto is consumed during social gatherings, ceremonies, and festivals. The drink is particularly popular in the central and western regions of Uganda, where banana cultivation is a major agricultural activity. [3] [10]

Tonto occupies a central place in Ugandan culture and social life. The beverage features prominently in traditional ceremonies, which often conclude at dusk with communal consumption of tonto. Folk singers have celebrated the drink in their songs, and politicians seeking to connect with common people often take ceremonial sips when campaigning for votes. [11]

The drink represents one of several traditional alcoholic beverages in Uganda, alongside ajon (made from finger millet), omuramba (from sorghum), kweete (from maize and millet), and waragi (from molasses). Among these, tonto remains particularly popular due to its relatively simple production process and the abundance of banana cultivation in Uganda. [12]

Etymology

The name "tontomera" derives from the Luganda language and alludes to the poor coordination experienced by drinkers after consumption, reflecting the beverage's alcoholic potency. The alternative name "mwenge bigere" is commonly used in central Uganda. [13]

Read also

References

  1. ↑ "Uganda's beloved alcoholic beverage threatened as authorities move to curb home brewing". Fox News. January 2, 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  2. ↑ safarix (2024-06-18). "The Tales of Local Brewing in Uganda - Churchill Safaris" . Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  3. 1 2 Kisakye, Frank (2023-08-16). "Mwenge bigere stands out at food festival". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  4. ↑ "The empty bag that stood upright". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Case example 4: Uganda". GreenFacts. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  6. 1 2 Kisakye, Frank (2022-05-10). "A few days with tonto brewer, Gyagenda". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  7. 1 2 Digital, G. L. P. (2016-06-03). "Biotechnology could remove dirty feet from Uganda's beloved beer". Genetic Literacy Project. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Ugandan banana beer "THE PROCESS OF MAKING BANANA BEER (Mwenge Bigere)"". Are.na. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  9. ↑ "What Is Tonto, Uganda's Legendary Booze That Is Made With Bananas, And Why Is It Under Threat?". Curly Tales. January 3, 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  10. ↑ "Chaos mars Kireka show". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Tonto: the Legendary Drink Facing Sanction in Uganda". iAfrica. January 5, 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  12. ↑ Mwesigye, Patrick K.; Okurut, Tom Okia (January 1995). "A Survey of the Production and Consumption of Traditional Alcoholic Beverages in Uganda". Process Biochemistry. 30 (6): 497–501. doi:10.1016/0032-9592(94)00033-6.
  13. ↑ "A Boozy Banana Drink Is Under Threat as Uganda Moves to Restrict Home Brewers". Voice of America. January 2, 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-24.

Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004, World Health Organization, 2004.

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