Bénédicte Desrus

Documentary Photographer + Photojournalist

www.benedictedesrus.com

Madiaba Busaa Club

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Location: Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

Nationality: French

Biography: Bénédicte Desrus is a French documentary photographer based in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Her work is distributed by Sipa USA agency in New York. She is a member of Women photograph and The Luupe.... MORE

Mary working at the Madiaba Bus... especially among young people.

1 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Mary working at the Madiaba Busaa Club in a Nairobi slum on april 7, 2013. Mary has been selling Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, for many years. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Exterior view of the Madiaba Bu... especially among young people.

2 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Exterior view of the Madiaba Busaa club in a Nairobi slum on April 7, 2013. Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

A group of Kenyans drink Busaa,... especially among young people.

3 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

A group of Kenyans drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, from a common pot using long straws - in a crowded Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

A Kenyan man prepares the maize... especially among young people.

4 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

A Kenyan man prepares the maize for the Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at the Madiaba Busaa Club in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

A group of Kenyans drink Busaa,... especially among young people.

5 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

A group of Kenyans drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, from a common pot using long straws - in a crowded Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Three Kenyans men drink Busaa, ... especially among young people.

6 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Three Kenyans men drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, from a common pot using long straws - in a Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

A group of Kenyans drink Busaa,... especially among young people.

7 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

A group of Kenyans drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, from a common pot using long straws - in a crowded Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

A bucket of Busaa, a traditiona... especially among young people.

8 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

A bucket of Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at the Madiaba Busaa Club in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Kenyan men drink Busaa, a tradi... especially among young people.

9 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Kenyan men drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 21, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

James Watoya checks the ferment... especially among young people.

10 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

James Watoya checks the fermentation of the Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at the Madiaba Busaa Club in a Nairobi slum on March 27, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

People dance and drink Busaa, a... especially among young people.

11 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

People dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 21, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Alice (C) and Mary (R) working ... especially among young people.

12 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Alice (C) and Mary (R) working at the Madiaba Busaa Club in a Nairobi slum on april 7, 2013. Both have been selling Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, for many years. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

People dance and drink Busaa, a... especially among young people.

13 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

People dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 21, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, ... especially among young people.

14 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, in a crowded Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 7, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Customers buy Busaa, a traditio... especially among young people.

15 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Customers buy Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at the Madiaba Busaa Club in a Nairobi slum on April 7, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, ... especially among young people.

16 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, in a crowded Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 7, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, ... especially among young people.

17 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, in a crowded Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 7, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

Busaa, a traditional fermented ... especially among young people.

18 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, is being warmed at the Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 14, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

People dance and drink Busaa, a... especially among young people.

19 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

People dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 14, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

People dance and drink Busaa, a...ople. Photo by Benedicte Desrus

20 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

People dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 21, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people. Photo by Benedicte Desrus

Purity (C) and her friends danc... especially among young people.

21 of 21 © 2023 Bénédicte Desrus

Purity (C) and her friends dance and drink Busaa, a traditional fermented beer, at Madiaba Busaa club at midday in a Nairobi slum on April 21, 2013. Busaa is made by crudely fermenting maize, millet, sorghum or molasses. At Kshs 35 per liter it is much cheaper than a Kshs 120 half-liter bottle of commercial beer. The local brew was legalised in 2010 and since then Busaa clubs have become increasingly popular in slums and rural areas. Drinking is on the rise in Kenya, especially among young people.

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Thumbnail of Mary working at the Madiaba Busa_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Exterior view of the Madiaba Bus_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of A group of Kenyans drink Busaa, _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of A Kenyan man prepares the maize _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of A group of Kenyans drink Busaa, _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Three Kenyans men drink Busaa, a_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of A group of Kenyans drink Busaa, _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of A bucket of Busaa, a traditional_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Kenyan men drink Busaa, a tradit_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of James Watoya checks the fermenta_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of People dance and drink Busaa, a _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Alice (C) and Mary (R) working a_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of People dance and drink Busaa, a _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, a_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Customers buy Busaa, a tradition_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, a_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Kenyans dance and drink Busaa, a_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of Busaa, a traditional fermented b_, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of People dance and drink Busaa, a _, especially among young people.

Thumbnail of People dance and drink Busaa, a _eople. Photo by Benedicte Desrus

Thumbnail of Purity (C) and her friends dance_, especially among young people.

Public Story

Madiaba Busaa Club

Copyright Bénédicte Desrus 2023

Updated Feb 2021

Location Nairobi, Kenya

Topics Africa, Alcohol, Busaa, Documentary, Drink, Food, Kenya, Nairobi, Photography, Slum, Travel, Youth

MADIABA BUSAA CLUB

Busaa, a local Kenyan beer, is sold at hundreds of tiny bars throughout slums in the capital. At 80 cents, each large margarine tub of the murky brew - only recently legalised by the Kenyan government - is all the rage amid those looking for cheap comfort. Rapid urbanisation in East Africa’s cultural and business capital has spurred a surge in makeshift watering holes for the demand of the most traditional of brews.

Fermented in PVC vats - formerly homes to gallons of hydrochloric acid - the production of busaa - is something of an art. Sacks of maize meal raked over hot coals, combined with local yeast, cold water and patience: the process for this particular variety, proudly mastered by the Luya tribe, so they say.

Text by Nastasya Tay

2,714

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