sorghum midge
By prof HAKIZIMANA Maurice
His name is Justin Faida. He was once a journalist in Rwanda. He has been living in France since 2007, and I must truly pay tribute to him. I had already been following him on social media, particularly on Facebook, where he often shares memories of his former life in Rwanda.
We began talking by phone, and I then decided to visit him. He is a 65-year-old man, elegant, well-presented, clean, educated, and deeply attached to his culture.
He welcomed me into his home, and we talked at length. As soon as I arrived, I was impressed by the number of books filling his bookshelves. I thought I was mainly coming to taste his drinks, but I realized that I was also going to “taste” his books, given how many he owns! This was a man I immediately came to appreciate greatly.
II Suivre ma chaine Whatsapp https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCyM5ILdQejDYwQ2b2u II Suivrez ma page facebook: https://www.facebook.com/professormaurice/.
(1) He Is an Entrepreneur
Justin noticed that in France, people mainly drank grape wine and fruit-based beverages. He then asked himself: Why not create a small business producing ikigage (sorghum liquor), musururu (sorghum drink), banana juice and urwagwa (banana beer/liquor), as well as beverages made from other fruits such as pineapple, mango, ginger, and so on? I could turn them into alcoholic beverages that people here do not know and, at the same time, promote the products and traditions of our homeland.
That is how he established a distillery in the Essonne department, in the Paris region, and became an entrepreneur in October 2018.His company is called P.H.C Jus. He set up his first distillery in Ballancourt-sur-Essonne, where he produces wine, cider, fruit juices, syrups, spirits, and liqueurs.
Here, in Essonne, in the Paris region of France.
Here, in Essonne, in the Paris region of France.
(2) He Let Me Taste His Modern Sorghum Liquor and Banana beer
He began producing his carefully filtered ikigage in 2022.At first, he bought sorghum from elsewhere. Then he met a local farmer who grew this cereal. They talked, and the farmer began supplying him with part of his harvest. This is how Justin started producing his malt and preparing his beverages using modern methods.
As for the bananas used to make urwagwa, he buys them from international food markets here in France.
Here is his modern urwagwa, made with honey, which he named “Inkangaza.”
“Butunda,” a mild beverage.
Inkangaza “boissons des rois”
Justin Faida has also taught local people how to eat impengeri,(la marmète du sorgho) that is, cooked sorghum.
(3) Justin Faida Is a Good Example
This man is a good example of someone who remains deeply attached to his culture, passes it on to younger generations, and at the same time seeks to develop himself.
At his home, I met his grandchildren. They do not know Rwanda as they are still too young but they speak Kinyarwanda, even though it sometimes requires some effort for them.Justin speaks to them in Kinyarwanda. They then search for their words and answer him either in Kinyarwanda or in French. I learned a valuable lesson from this.
He also has that hospitality and human warmth that we find among our elders and among our parents of earlier generations.
If you come to Paris or its surrounding area, remember to call Justin Faida to buy a bottle of his excellent urwagwa: Butunda, Inkangaza, or some ikigage.He also produces wines made from pineapple, mango, and other plants and fruits.He can also talk to you about the history of your homeland or lend you some books to read.You will not regret having met this kind and intelligent man, Justin Faida.
Justin Faida, We are proud of you!
This world
Mwalimu Hakizimana Maurice is a teacher, a translator-interpreter, and a writer based in Paris, France.
Professor Hakizimana Maurice is the author of the book “UTABA AMATEKA NTABONA ITAKA” (Editions Scribes).
PUB
TIDAS – Translation, Interpreting & Support for Your Asylum and Residency Procedures in France
Welcome to TIDAS (Translation, Interpreting, and Asylum & Residency Assistance in France).Our mission: to help foreigners in France overcome language barriers and administrative obstacles.
Our services:
Translation and interpreting for your appointments and documents
Support with asylum applications
Assistance with all your administrative procedures
With TIDAS, you benefit from a professional, caring, and reliable service.We believe that everyone deserves to be understood and supported.
Contact us today and let’s move forward together at (+33) 07 58 90 35 49 or email us at tidasetvous@gmail.com
TIDAS :
- “TIDAS – Always by Your Side”
- “The Voice of Foreigners in France”
- “Understand, Translate, Support”
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.