So, what is this plant that everyone in East Africa and Arab countries chew for hours? What does it do to your body? How does it taste? What are the side effects, and where does it come from? Today, we dive deep into the cultural importance of this plant called khat, also known as miraa, jaba, chat, veve, and more. Get ready to discover the fascinating world of khat like never before. This is all you need to know about khat/jaba/miraa.
The Millennium-Old Stimulant
Khat is a natural stimulant derived from the Catha edulis plant, cultivated in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. People chew its young buds and tender leaves to experience euphoria and stimulation. It typically grows in bushy shrub-like trees and has an aromatic taste, though it’s not exactly palatable.
Known as qat and gat in Yemen, qaat and jaad in Somalia, and chat in Ethiopia, khat has various names in different cultures and regions. It’s also referred to as Abyssinian Tea, Somali Tea, Miraa, Arabian Tea, Jimaa, and Kafta in its native regions of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In South Africa, it goes by the name Bushman’s Tea, and it’s also known as Chat Tree and Flower of Paradise.
The legality of khat varies across regions. While some countries do not specifically control its use, it may still be illegal under general laws. Specific regulations regarding khat exist in countries like Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Conversely, in Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Yemen, where khat use is deeply rooted in the cultures, its production, sale, and consumption are legal.
Chewing khat is the most common method of consumption. While some people make a drink out of dried leaves, smoking it is less prevalent. Chewers fill their mouths with leaves and stalks, releasing active components in the juice, which is then swallowed with saliva. The chewed plant material forms a characteristic bulge in the cheek, creating a unique visual. However, we, at Handas Juice, have turned khat into a tasty and refreshing drink called jaba juice, with various flavors, accomplishing what many have attempted but failed. But more on that later.
Khat is widely used as a stimulant to improve performance, stay alert, and increase work capacity. Night shift workers use it to fight fatigue, and students chew khat in hopes of enhancing mental performance during exams. Some people also use khat to suppress their appetite for prolonged periods. In Yemen, it is believed to be beneficial for minor ailments like headaches, colds, body pains, fevers, arthritis, and even depression. Khat chewing is often a social activity, taking place in groups and contributing to cheerfulness, optimism, and a general sense of well-being. It’s an activity deeply rooted in social and cultural customs, playing a role in ceremonies such as weddings. Muslims in Yemen believe that chewing khat facilitates a connection with Allah during prayer, although Christians and Yemenite Jews in Israel also partake in khat chewing.
Popularity and Uses
An estimated 5 to 10 million people worldwide consume khat on a daily basis. In Yemen, studies suggest that around 70–80% of individuals between 16 and 50 years old chew khat, with 60–90% of men and 35% of women chewing daily. Astonishingly, Yemenis spend approximately 14.6 million man-hours per day chewing khat, with families allocating about 17% of their income to its purchase.
In Kenya, a test conducted by NACADA confirmed that 47% of the people tested had chewed khat at some point in their lives. However, limited research has been conducted on the crop in Africa. Despite khat being considered a cash crop in Kenya, many of its cultural and social effects remain poorly documented.
Traditionally, khat is primarily consumed as a social drug, and in most countries where it is legal, it’s predominantly a male habit. Yemen, in particular, has a significant khat culture, with the crop consuming a large portion of the country’s agricultural resources. The water used for khat cultivation accounts for approximately 40% of Yemen’s water supply. With production increasing each year, there have been discussions about relocating a significant part of Sana’a’s population to the Red Sea coast due to diminishing groundwater levels. Khat cultivation in Yemen provides high income for farmers, surpassing that of other crops. It contributes significantly to Yemen’s economy, accounting for approximately 30% of its GDP in 2000.
Interestingly, reports from 2019 indicate that child soldiers in Yemen have resorted to chewing khat to remain alert on the battlefield, highlighting the complex relationship between khat and society.
Effects: Consuming khat induces a mild sense of euphoria and excitement, similar to what strong coffee provides. Individuals under the influence become talkative, and animal testing has shown an increase in motor activity. The effects of chewing khat, such as increased alertness, arousal, concentration, confidence, euphoria, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, sleeplessness, suppressed appetite, and talkativeness, occur within approximately 15 minutes of oral administration.
History
Khat’s origins can be traced back to Ethiopia, according to some sources. Explorer Sir Richard Burton suggested that the plant was introduced to Yemen from Ethiopia in the 15th century, with the city of Harar specifically mentioned as its birthplace.
Khat chewing has a long history as a social custom among communities in the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia) and the Arabian Peninsula, dating back thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, khat was considered a sacred substance capable of facilitating mystical experiences and a connection with the divine. Sufis also used it to intensify their spiritual experiences and unite with God.
The earliest documented description of khat is found in the 11th-century work on pharmacy and materia medica titled “Kitab al-Saidala fi al-Tibb” by Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī, a Persian scientist and biologist. Al-Bīrūnī described khat as a commodity from Turkestan with certain medicinal properties.
Throughout history, khat’s popularity has been limited to East Africa and Southwestern Arabia, where it remains legal and widely available. Despite being native to the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, khat is legal only in Yemen, with its consumption primarily concentrated in East Africa and Southwestern Arabia.
In conclusion, khat is a fascinating plant with deep cultural significance and a long history of use as a social stimulant. Its effects, cultural practices, and economic impact make it a subject worth exploring. Whether you see it as a revered tradition or a debatable substance, the world of khat continues to thrive among those who chew its leaves and embrace its unique qualities. Also, be sure to learn more about Jaba juice with this article and also buy some jaba juice on chupa chap.
