Merisa

Merisa, merissa or marissa (Arabic: مريسة) is a traditional fermented beverage popular in South Sudan.

It is made by Sudanese women as a source of income.^[1] Merisa is made by brewing dates, millet and sorghum. The brewing process has been described as complex by Western beer making standards with over a dozen steps.^[2] Merisa has an 8-10 hour fermentation process and has an alcohol content of up to 6%.^[3]

It is illegal to drink or sell Marissa in Northern Sudan under Muslim Sharia laws, under penalty of 40 lashes, fines and imprisonment.^[4]

Baboons in Sudan are known to drink merisa when offered.^[5]