Khat chewing as a new Ugandan leisure activity

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Periodical article

Title:	Khat chewing as a new Ugandan leisure activity
Author:	Beckerleg, Susan
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Journal of Eastern African Studies
Volume:	3
Issue:	1
Pages:	42-54
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Uganda
Subjects:	drug use leisure attitudes
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/17531050802682713
Abstract:	A culture of hedonism that attaches a high value to leisure has prevailed in much of Uganda. Having in the past been associated only with Somali and Yemeni migrants, khat consumption has spread among all ethnic groups and to all parts of Uganda. The locus of consumption has moved from the living room to video halls, alleyways and the 'ghettos' of both urban and rural areas. Khat chewing, which takes several hours if the full sequence of effects is to be achieved, is viewed as 'idl', who chew khat accompanied by soft drinks; 2) the 'mixers' who combine khat sessions with alcohol and/or cannabis use. The 'mixers' have abandoned the rules and rituals of consumption that pertain in other khat-using settings. Many Ugandans confuse cannabis and khat, condone alcohol use, and brand khat chewers as, at best, idlers, and at worst violent criminals. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]