Merisa, merissa or marissa (Arabic: مريسة) is a traditional fermented beverage popular in South Sudan.

It is made by Sudanese women as a source of income.[1] Merisa is made by brewing dates, millet and sorghum. The brewing process has been described as complex by Western beer making standards with over a dozen steps.[2] Merisa has an 8-10 hour fermentation process and has an alcohol content of up to 6%.[3]

It is illegal to drink or sell Marissa in Northern Sudan under Muslim Sharia laws, under penalty of 40 lashes, fines and imprisonment.[4]

Baboons in Sudan are known to drink merisa when offered.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "South Sudan - Malakal - The article - Let's meet on earth". Letsmeetonearth.org. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  2. ↑ Lyumugabe, François; Gros, Jacques; Nzungize, John; Bajyana, Emmanuel; Thonart, Philippe (January 2012). "Characteristics of African traditional beers brewed with sorghum malt: a review | Université de Liège". Base. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Microsoft Word - sudan.doc" (PDF). Who.int. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  4. ↑ Rebecca Hamilton (2010-10-12). "South Sudanese Harassed Brewing Traditional Drink". Pulitzer Center. Archived from the original on 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  5. ↑ Our Day. 1900. p. 85. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
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