Scholars and culture experts have highlighted the role of
beer in the sustenance of the socio-cultural cohesion of people across ages. They
made the submission experts at the 3rd Nigerian Beer Symposium in Lagos on
Thursday.
Professor Bartholomew Okolo, a Professor of Applied
Microbiology and a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
in his paper on the Social and Cultural
Roles of Beer in Society, explained thatIn all societies, beer plays an important role not only in major
life-cycle events, such as birth and death, but also in minor everyday
transitions. According to him, in studies conducted in various parts of
the world, beer drinking venues have been identified as the most important
venues for promoting interactions and friendships between people from diverse
backgrounds.
"The
Nigerian beer parlour is an example of such an institution where you could find
a lawyer having a beer next to a plumber or a doctor having a beer next to a
tailor. You could also find a professor having a beer next to abanker. In such circumstances,
people can offer all sorts of support and even professional advice at no cost.
It is possible to explore such settings for other benefits including security
and commerce, for example in thecreation of cooperatives societies," he said.
Okolo added that alcoholic drinks are a symbolic vehicle for
identifying, describing, constructing and manipulating cultural values and
interpersonal relationships. In all cultures, he remarked, different alcoholic
beverages are classified in terms of their social meaning. Every drink
therefore connotes a symbolic meaning and conveys a message.
"In the
present day African tradition, beer is a regular feature on the list of items
that must be presented
at various stages of the marriage process. It must also
be present during such other ceremonies as funeral rites, coronations, peace missions,
special invitations, among others.
Professor Bath Okolo delivering his paper
|
Mr. Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State, who
chaired the occasion, noted that research shows that beer contains xanthohumol
that inhibit cancer-causing enzymes. "I have always wondered about theFrench.
You see, their diet consist of rich, highly fatty foods, wine and those
cigarettes. Yet, their rate of heart disease is significantly less than the
rest of the world. This has been credited to red wine and the antioxidants it
contains, which helps prevent heart attacks. Interestingly, beer has just as
many antioxidants as red wine," he said.
Duke also added that beer is a lot safer than the local
bottled water. "If you find yourself
someplace where you are advised not to drink the local water, the local beer is
always a safer bet. It is a lot safer than the local bottled water. So just
follow the rules of beer drinking and you will be fine," he advised.
According to him, beeris not just a social lubricant, but a
cultural spice that brings the right taste out of all celebrations.
"Beer is a drink that has become part of our culture. It has
become a near impossible feat today for us as a people to have one form of
celebration or the other devoid of beer.
"The ceremony will not be approved as successful if the
variety of foods provided is not complemented with beer," he said.
Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr.
NicolaasVervelde also stressed that the objective of the Nigerian Beer
Symposium has been to highlight and share contemporary knowledge on the
wonderful product called beer.
Also speaking at the occasion, Ted Mukoro, a veteran
advertising expertmaintained that beer is certainly the least alcoholic of all
alcoholic drinks, and also the healthiest and most nutritious. According to
him, like all enjoyable and exciting things made by nature– alcohol, sex,
sports, dancing – beer can be irresponsibly abused or over-used. "Nothing
enjoyable is bad until put to the wrong use," he said.
0 Comments