Kenyan Khat

[fyzygy]

Kenya has an incredibly rich culture of miraa/khat consumption. Image taken from this most excellent (e)book: 

https://www.amazon.com.au/Kenyan-Khat-15-Carrier/dp/9004156593

 

[Justler]

That's Interesting. Would one interpret that to mean that (1) the Skeletal Section being identified as a the source of higher quality varieties has a higher concentration of psychoactive alkaloids? Is there any more information in the book relating to this?

 

Just wondering if that's based on scientific studies or more a marketing/cultural or perhaps superstitious perspective?

 

Thanks for sharing 

[fyzygy]

46 minutes ago, Justler said:

Is there any more information in the book relating to this?

Some varieties are known for being too weak; others too potent; some that lead to insomnia; some that cause impotence; some that have an almost hallucinogenic quality; some that remain commercially viable for up to 7 days after harvest. And so on, all with unique Kenyan names. It's a great book, the best on khat I've come across. Refreshingly, it's not written from a law-enforcement or drug-policy perspective. It's more an ethnographic study of growers, retailers and users in quite some detail. Some info about alkaloids, including some lesser-known ones, vitamins, etc. 

 

By "varieties" not so much botanical varieties, more like "brands" of miraa, across a wide range of price points. So yes, there is some "marketing" involved in the Kenyan culture. I think material from mature trees fetches a higher price. Here are some named "varieties" listed in Kenyan (genetic diversity, if any, remains a bit opaque, although mention is made of a rare shrubby form?): 

 

Alele
Algani
Black Power
Colombo
Gathanga
Giza
Kangeta
Kathata
Liboi
Lombolio
Machenge
Makata
Mashushu
Matangoma
Mbogua
Murutubu
Ng’oa
Ng’oileng
No. 14
Nyeusi
Scud
Shurba ya karama
Shurba ya nkinyang’a

 

The ebook is available from libgen.is and probably elsewhere. $509 is a bit much for a paperback. 

Edited January 17, 2023 by fyzygy