Lotoko
{{Short description|Home-distilled alcoholic drink in the Democratic Republic of The Congo}}
{{for|the village in Équateur|Lotoko, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
File:Lotoko still by Francis Hannaway.jpg
Lotoko, also known by the slang term {{Lang|fr|pétrole}}, is a home-distilled alcoholic drink or moonshine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lotoko is usually made from maize, but sometimes from cassava or plantain. Heads of corn are cut up and boiled into a mash which is then fermented and distilled using improvised stills made from cut-down oil drums. Although it is officially banned because of its high alcohol content (over 50%), its production is widespread in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lotoko production, being a cottage industry, is very low-tech. It provides its mainly female producers with a degree of financial independence.
Health concerns
{{for|moonshine in other African countries also known to cause health issues|Changaa#Health concerns|Kumi Kumi#Health concerns|Waragi#Health concerns}}
Because of the woody core of the cobs of corn, the alcohol produced contains high levels of methanol, which is toxic.{{cn|date=March 2024}} Lotoko made from cassava or plantains does not carry the same methanol risk.
Local NGOs have expressed concern[http://www.grioo.com/info10603.html Le "Lotoko", un alcool indigène dangereux pour la santé des Kinois] [Lotoko, an indigenous alcoholic drink that's dangerous to the health of Kinshasans][http://www.buveurs.com/La-boisson-indigene-Lotoko-un-danger-pour-la-sante La boisson indigène Lotoko, un danger pour la santé] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905142717/http://www.buveurs.com/La-boisson-indigene-Lotoko-un-danger-pour-la-sante |date=2008-09-05 }} [An indigenous drink, Lotoko, is a health hazard] as to its health effects in the communities of Kinshasa, where it costs 200 to 300 FC, compared to 600 FC for commercially brewed beers.
Etymology
Lotoko is a Lingala word and is known country-wide.
References
{{coord missing|Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
Category:Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Category:Crime in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Category:Alcohol in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
{{whisky-stub}}
{{DRCongo-geo-stub}}