So this past weekend saw the Yack Master heading to Gugulethu for umcimbi (a family traditional gathering). As it is with imicimbi the alcohol flowed and we had a fair share of moemishes (idiots or idiotic behaviour). One such moemish was a guy who arrived as sober as a judge but a few shots of vodka and brandy, and a beer glass or two down the line he was absolutely nake (i.e. too drunk). He got up with such conviction, I guess convinced he still had the ability to balance, and fell face first, to the amusement of spectators and to his own detriment. I’m sure he was nursing more than a hangover when he woke up the next day.


This gathering was done in honour of a long time family tradition my grandmother (whom by now had passed) used to have once every year. One of my uncles took it upon himself to continue the tradition. As a build up to the day of the festivities, traditional sorghum beer is brewed (a favourite of mine after brandy and cognac). It is also brewed on the day of the gathering. Brandy is somewhat of a stalwart amongst the men. A certain custom is followed for its distribution among these man referred to as ukuthunga (to thread); this is basically a system of fair distribution (God be with you if you are caught unilaterally pouring yourself a shot).


These gatherings are very entertaining as you find yourself immersed in a completely different crowd or amongst new family members you haven’t had the joy of meeting; be sure you get introduced or you might find yourself hitting on a cousin you didn’t know; with Africans the concept of family is wide so it’s important that you know a person’s clan name before you date otherwise you might find yourself dating your very own relative.


Back to brandy. This spirit, for some reason, is highly regarded in traditional gatherings of all sorts. The old generation refer to it as ibranti (a pronunciation which appears to be derived from the Afrikaans language “Brand”).


I’d still like to indulge in estimation here and say that one reason brandy is held in high esteem, is because it culminates the success of a ceremony when all due procedure of umgcimbi is done and without hiccups, a bottle is cracked open and shared amongst the men of the family and those who have come to share in the celebrations of which ever custom being observed on the day; as if to say, “We’ve succeeded”. I suppose any drink could have been the chosen one, but the choice of brandy stands out apt and a good notch above the rest.


Suffice to say that there is more to brandy in African culture than just drinking brandy but it is used to observe very important customs. And there’s a certain importance in observing these customs such as educating the younger generations, so that as African people we do not lose our traditions. Much in the same way that brandy and how it’s made is steeped in a long history of tradition, as such master distillers pay special attention in educating their apprentices not to lose the roots and fundamentals in the art of brandy.


As such let us celebrate a life rooted in tradition


Let the Yack be with you..