Beer Strainers

• Title Beer Strainers
• Category Utilitarian
• Medium Guinea Corn
• Dimensions 18"h x 4.6"w
• Year Completed c. 1970
• Description These are beer strainers made from guinea corn from the Kamwe people in Michika Nigeria during the 1970’s. The Kamwe are ardent agriculturalists, primarily planting guinea corn, maize and groundnuts. It is customary for women to bring jars of beer to male workers during breaks from farming, and when work is finished. When consuming beer after work, strict drinking etiquette is followed as men drink and talk late into the night. Beer is essential to the Kamwe economy as beer sold by women makes up around 71% of their income. The division of labor between women and men among the Kamwe even applies to beermaking; men brew red beer and women brew white beer. Another name for the Kamwe is Kapsiki which means ’to sprout’ the soghum grains made for beer making.
• Artist Kamwe People Michika, Nigerian
• Credit Gift of Roger and Dottie Mohrlang
• Location Library Art Storage G8
• Accession Number 2024.0002.a-b
• Status Available Request this art work
  
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