┬áJames Cuddy explores Tanzania’s famous drink Konyagi and explains just how crazy alcohol can be.

Konyagi: ┬áItÔÇÖs not vodka, itÔÇÖs not gin, itÔÇÖs not water and itÔÇÖs barely legal outside of East Africa. As soon as that distinctive taste hits your lips, all aboard! YouÔÇÖre in for the long run; the Konyagi train has just departed. Ever wondered what the HyenaÔÇÖs in the lion king where drinking? No one can truly know for certain, but if I was a betting man, IÔÇÖd say that they had railcards and exclusive regular offers mailed to their doors for the Konyagi train service.
ÔÇÿTears Of the LionÔÇÖ, it proudly states on its delightfully unsuspecting label. Who would think otherwise, after shortly arriving in Tanzania, that this placid looking liquid could do no harm? Well well folks a lot of hard lessons have been learnt regarding this ambiguous liqueur – trust me on this one.

One minute youÔÇÖre casually basking in the dry heat, having an ever so pleasant conversation with an intriguing comrade to be. Then the Konyagi takes hold. You try to resist at first, clench your fists tighter, focus your eyes with an extra dexterity to avoid whatÔÇÖs inevitably comingÔǪthen it happens, and it happens hard. The lyrics to ÔÇÿCan You Feel the Love TonightÔÇÖ start a mutiny within your vocals chords, causing every last syllable to burst out of your lips, as unforgiving as the lion towards the gazelle. Dance moves follow, chairs are soon dispersed across the Savannah as every muscle in your body delights in this new liquid companionship. MI5 has their own unique style of truth serum, and this folks, is the key to the majority of East AfricaÔÇÖs police interrogations. The lions didnÔÇÖt cry in vain, they were paying the price of the secrets and childhood stories that this liquid unearths.

As long as the recipients are aboard the train with you, every embarrassing story is reciprocated with copious laughter and heartfelt smiles. Your Tanzanian friends will get it out of you, but they will never condemn a single word of your cross dressing youth. So if you ever meet Konyagi on your travels, make preparations to brush up on your Robbie Williams, gravitate towards the cuddliest person you can find and always wear comfortable shoes. You never know where the train might take you.’

by James Cuddy

If you want to find out more about Konyagi why not have a look at their blog at konyagiblog.wordpress.com