I. Introduction

 

"Khat" (Catha edulis) is known by a wide range of names which designate either the shrub or parts of the plant. The Arab name of "Khat" is the commonest of these, with variants which are simply phonetic transcriptions (catha, Kat, ciat, tschat, etc.) (7).

The khat shrub grows to between one to two meters in height on dry soils, reaches six metres on moist slopes of the Ethiopian mountains and may even attain a height of 25m in the equatorial regions. The trunk may be as much as 0.5m in circumference. The bark is thin, smooth and brown. The over-all appearance of the tree is like that of a tea shrub. The new leaves are reddish-brown, turning greenish-yellow when fully grown. (1).

 

The khat leaves are the consumable part of the plant. The leaves are normally 0.5cm to 12.5cm long and one to five can wide with a petiole of leafstalk about 3-10mm long*. The leaves with acuminate tips which bear the reddish-brown or yellowish-brown colour are the most preferred. This kind of khat is called "kudda" by the people of Harrar and Somalia (hagafa). There is also the "uretta" - with leaves of elliptic form which is of the same quality as the kudda, and which has even the - same colour but with more tints of green. The poor quality khat is called "kerti". This khat has a yellowish-green or green colour. The leaves are more ovate and oblanceolate in form (2).

 

The kudda, uretta and kerti are found on the same tree at different times depicting different stages. First the khat called uretta appears. Then if a certain insect (leaf-hopper) lives on the plant during the time in which the leaves begin to wilt and become somewhat reddish-brown in colour, the uretta, after getting a little supply of water, develops into kuda. When the tree gets an ample supply of water, the bigger leaves which are usually green and full of moisture grow into kerti kind of khat.

 

Khat is mainly known and taken as a stimulant. The kudda and uretta are strong in their stimulating effect. The more tender and juicy the leaves, the easier they are to chew and consequently the more highly they are regarded. Khat is keenly sought and is consumed by all levels of the society in the Harrarghe Administrative Region. The chewers usually allot special time for this purpose.

 

II. History (Background) 

 

Many historians believe that khat is a plant indigenous to Ethiopia. The Food and Agricultural Organization reported in 1961 (4) that khat was first taken from Ethiopia to Yemen between the first and the sixth century (3). Ibn Fode Alla, a historian, admits the fact that khat is native to Ethiopia and was .later introduced to Yemen during the reign of Malik Mu'ayyad - who ruled Yemen from 1296 to 1324 (5)

 

A Danish botanist and physician called Forsskal (1736-1763) gave the name Catha edulis (4 and 6) to the plant growing on the mountain of Al-Yaman. Khat, in Ethiopia, grows in other administrative regions such as Kaffa, Wellega, Illubabor, Tigrai, Wollow, Arssi, and Erteria: but grows most abundantly in Harrargh. Khat also grows in Transvaal, the Cape of South Africa, Natal, Aden, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Nyasaland, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Turkey and Afghanistan (7).

 

It seems that as in the case of coffee the people who cultivated khat started its consumption and then introduced the habit to neighbours, travellers, merchants, etc.

 

It gained its international importance during the first half of the 19th century (3). The effect of khat has been felt to be of national concern for some countries such as France, Great Britain and Italy to the extent of their banning its import. France and Great Britain have, since 1956, repeatedly recommended to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs the prohibition of its cultivation and sale due to its addictive effect and danger to the social life of the people (3).

 

In the 1960's, the government of Ethiopia took the initiative of studying the chemical components and the biological and social effects of khat. For this purpose a group was formed under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry instructed the Pasteur Institute, the Institute of Nutrition and Medical Personnel to undertake the study (7).

 

The authorities concerned in the Ministry, upon examination of the report -of the medical personnel and the findings of the two institutes decided that there was not enough evidence to support its ban; but suggested that a scientific study should be continued and provided with adequate time.

 

This together with the difficulties of controlling the long frontiers of neighbouring countries has encouraged smuggling of khat in increasing quantities. Consumers in Aden showed dissatisfaction with the ban on khat. The dissatisfaction has been manifested through letters written in both English and Arabic. So the government has gradually withdrawn its ban on consumption of khat (3). Currently, with the availability of air transport, khat has regained its international importance. And this paper attempts to present the social and economic aspects of khat in the said Administrative Region.

 

III. Social Aspects 

 

In Harrargh, khat is used by the people at all levels of society. There seems to be no upper limit of age but a lower limit does exist. An eight or a ten-year-old child knows the normal procedure of chewing khat just as an adult does. Chewing is normal practice among students, farmers, bureaucrats, labourers, shop-keepers, barmen, housewives, maids, travellers, etc. One could estimate that at least over 85% of the people living in this region have chewed khat leaves, over 75% of these are in the habit of chewing once a week and some 30-40% of the 85% find it necessary to chew khat every day.

 

Khat plays a significant role in the social life of the majority of the people in the region. The people consume it during Ramadan (Muslims' fasting month, in social gatherings and during other ceremonies. The reasons for chewing khat, as reported by others (3) and as I have also personally observed are:

 

1. People want to stay up late at night, and khat has been found to keep them alert.

 

2. The Muslims (who form the majority in the region) do not use alcohol due to religious reasons and they take khat as a substitute.

 

3. Students who want to study for long periods during test and exams use khat.

Students think khat will help them concentrate studying, keep them awake the whole night, and assist them in gaining strength and intellect. In the University, students are not allowed to use khat but students smuggle it in somehow. They have gone as far as believing that they will definitely be unsuccessful in their studies if they have not used khat.

 

4. The labourers and shop-keepers, take khat and regard it as the best substitute for food.

 

5. Office-workers, housewives, maids and travellers usually start the habit as a lark. But then they think they have discovered chewing khat to be a better means of recreation, passing the time, and organizing social gatherings than any other.

 

It is noticed that chewing khat over week-ends becomes a must. People start worrying during the week-days about how to make the next khat ceremony as beautiful as possible. Another habit that has been developed by these people is the use of alcohol to break the "khat-mood", if they do not like to stay with the mood after the ceremony.

 

6. Large number of people think that the khat ceremony is the best mean of keeping individuals in a group homogeneously.

 

Individuals with common interests usually assume that they will accom)lish their objective, whatever that may be, after discussing the issue luring the ceremony. These and other reasons have caused the people :o further develop the habit of khat use. People take the habit as something indispensable. They have respect and high regard for khat. 3radually, they have formulated the procedures of a khat ceremony. each person will arrange the best conditions before he is chewing started. Depending on the capability of the individual, he tries to have his best things around. The best cold water, the best mattress and 3 illow, the best khat, the best cigarettes, his best friends, and the nost important topics are reserved for the occasion. One can imagine low hard an individual will strive to have the best conditions ready at he time of his every khat ceremony.

 

People of different professions allot two or three hours a day for this kind of ceremony. It is very common to see people doing their job with calls of khat leaves in their mouth. Bus and taxi drivers transport people from one part of the region to the other driving and chewing at the same time. Week-ends are reserved for a khat ceremony in groups. Males and females make it a point of developing relationships with each other. Passengers buy bundles of khat leaves and chew as they travel. Shop-keepers, at any time of the day, are seen with a mouthful of the leaves. Students bluntly ask their guardians for money to purchase khat. A guest is welcome to a khat ceremony. All in all khat ha: become the issue, the talk, and the purpose of the majority of the people in this region.

 

IV. Economic Aspects 

 

1. PRODUCTION:

 

Khat grows best in rich soils and in climates relatively humid anc temperately hot; otherwise its cultivation requires close attention unti the plant matures. Khat does not grow in all parts of the administrative region, but is known to grow in the five sub-administrative regions 01 Harrar, Webera, Garamuleta, Dire Dawa and Cherecher. In these area: khat is often cultivated on terraced hills or mountain slopes. Seedling: about a month and a half old, which have been watered for this period, or cuttings are transplanted and allowed to grow for three or foul years before the leaves are picked (1). The plant should be lookec after closely during and in the early stage. It also needs adequate spacing. Compared to coffee production the labour requirement for khal cultivation and harvest is very low. The yield on the other hand h quite the opposite.

 

Khat is a seasonal crop and yields consumable leaves throughout the rainy season. Sometimes continuous harvest is made possible by irrigation. Young leaves, from matured plants are usually picked in the mornings. The leaves collected are tied in bundles and wrapped witlfresh and wet leaves of "koba" (Enste ventricosum, false banana). A bundle is usually made to contain on the average forty twigs. The envelope is then taken immediately to a market, as khat pays best whey it is fresh.

 

2. KHAT TRADE AND ITS EFFECTS:

 

Khat is sold all over the Harrarghe Administrative Region. The farmers themselves are engaged in sales where the market place is not too fa] from the cultivation. In other places it is sold by retailers. Prices 01 khat fluctuate from 3 birr per kilo up to 30 birr (from 0.50 to 5.00 bin per bundle). This depends on supply i.e. the price is low during the rainy season and high in the dry season; and the price is low in areas where khat is cultivated and high in those where it is not.

 

Khat trade has gained popular attention and one observes the increase in the number of people involved, in replacement of crops, the expansion of farmlands and the facilitation of means of transportation. Khat is accepted by different sectors of people for a variety of reasons. One of the major reasons is its economic benefit. The farmer seems convinced that he works less but profits more in khat production. The consumer seems to agree on khat consumption. The poor man is seen to be pleased whenever he spends money, above his meals, on khat leaves. One must then be forced to accept that khat's production, trade and consumption involves a large majority of the people in the Harrarghe Administrative Region.

 

Most farmers have made the khat trade a reason for substituting their other crops by the khat plant. The coffee plant is uprooted and khat is planted instead, in some parts of the region. Millet farmlands are changed to khat fields. Only vegetable farms are left untouched. The trend to use any available non-ploughed land for khat cultivation is seen to be growing. Transportation facilities are available to and from almost all places in this region. I am not so sure if the above are direct or indirect effects of the growing business of khat but one often experiences that the producers, the sellers and the consumers are greatly dependent upon the khat trade.

 

V.Conclusion

 

Khat, which is supposed to be native to Ethiopia, plays significant roles ;ocially and economically in the Harrarghe Administrative Region. Many )eople in this region are engaged in widespread cultivation of khat and nany in its trade. The plant is consumed domestically, though not argely enough for the farmers to depend on it exclusively. Khat eaves, as reported by many writers (3 and 7), have been studied :hemically and have also been observed to have some physiological affects. As indicated by these opinions, there exists a range of views. ;ome say that khat is no more harmful to an individual or to society han a "social drug" such as coffee (7); but many have the feeling that xcessive use of the plant will result in physical, mental and moral ieterioration. Some also fear that such economic dependence and its tdverse effect on the personality may sometime become an unsolvable )roblem. Therefore they suggest that the case merits greater attention )efore it gets out of hand. The Ethiopian Government directly and ndirectly discourages all aspects of khat. These and the high regard 'or khat by the people of the Harrarghe Administrative Region appears ntolerable if one thinks of how the fortunes of the farmers and retail!rs would change if conditions became adverse to khat's production and sale. Would it be possible to save the people from serious economic disaster?

 

I would, therefore, like to make the following remark. Positive or iegative biases may develop among the people at all levels and bring about unforeseen problems. Khat use is a common habit not only among )eople in this region but all over Ethiopia. On the other hand, obserrations and non-empirical data cannot be taken for granted and considered to be sufficient evidence for basing future plans of any sorts. Thus, scientific investigation on socio-economic aspects of khat use and is health effects (which has never been thoroughly considered at all) night to be carried out in the Harrarghe Administrative Region (where is production and use is more significant and established than in any )ther part of the world). The result may than be used as a basis for my kind of a decision concerning khat.

 

REFERENCES

 

L. PETERS, W.W.A.; Pharmaceutical Journal (1952) pp. 169, 17, 36.

?,. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; Ethiopian Trade Journal (August, 1961) pp. 1, 4, 13.

3. HAGOS TSEHAY; "Chat" In the Ethiopian Economy (March, 1963) pp. 1-14.

4. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION; Agriculture in Ethiopia (Rome 1961) pp. 305.

5. PANKHURST, R.; An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia, (England, 1961) pp. 210.

6. BURTON, R.; First Footsteps in East Africa, I and II (1894).

7. NUTRITION SURVEY, Ethiopian "Khat", Ethiopian Nutrition Survey (Washington, D.C.), (1959) pp. 96-100, 166.