Indulgences

1. Toaka

   Toa-ka

   Toaka (distilled spirits, generic)

   Usage

   The blanket word for distilled liquor. Use it as the starting point when asking what kinds are available

   Grammar Note

   It is an intoxicating drink containing alcohol, and is the general term for spirits made by traditional distilling. It does not cover wine (divay) or beer (labiera).

2. Toaka gasy

   Toa-ka ga-sy

   Toaka gasy (locally distilled spirit)

   Usage

   A local spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. Unlicensed home distilling is inconsistent in quality and has caused documented harm, so stick to what a licensed venue serves

   Grammar Note

   It is a set phrase, "Malagasy alcohol obtained by distilling betsabetsa", with toakafary as a synonym. "Gasy" means "Malagasy/local" and follows the noun.

3. Betsabetsa

   Be-tsa-be-tsa

   Betsabetsa (fermented sugarcane drink)

   Usage

   A cloudy drink of fermented sugarcane juice—the stage before distilling. Distil it and you get toaka gasy

   Grammar Note

   It is an intoxicating drink made from sugarcane or honey. It is also described as rum distilled from fermented cane juice, so the line between fermenting and distilling is blurry.

4. Trembo

   Trem-bo

   Trembo (palm wine)

   Usage

   Fermented coconut sap. The word belongs to the north and east coast and may not be understood in the highlands

   Grammar Note

   In the northern (Antankarana) dialect it is coconut wine, and in the east-coast (Betsimisaraka) dialect palm wine, especially the fermented kind. It is not a standard-register word.

5. Labiera

   La-bi-e-ra

   Labiera (beer)

   Usage

   Understood at eateries and bars. The shorter form "biera" is also widely used

   Grammar Note

   It is a low-alcohol drink of fermented barley flavoured with hops for bitterness and aroma. The form takes in French "la bière" whole, keeping the article "la" at the front.

6. Divay

   Di-vay

   Divay (wine)

   Usage

   Grapes are grown in the highlands around Fianarantsoa, where a domestic wine is made

   Grammar Note

   It is a drink of fermented grape juice at about 11–12° alcohol. The same spelling also names a plant (roselle, or a wild vine), so context decides.

7. Sigara

   Si-ga-ra

   Sigara (cigarette, cigar)

   Usage

   Often sold as single sticks on the street. Indoor smoking rules vary by venue, so check

   Grammar Note

   It is shredded tobacco leaf rolled in thin paper for smoking, and covers both cigars and cigarettes.

8. Paraky

   Pa-ra-ky

   Paraky (tobacco, the leaf)

   Usage

   The word for the tobacco leaf itself. Markets sell it dried, in bundles

   Grammar Note

   It is a plant whose leaves are smoked or chewed and which stimulates the brain. The manufactured cigarette is sigara.

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