An insight to Khat sessions in Yemen

Khat or Qaad is considered a leafy narcotic obtained from the Catha Edulis tree. The tree, which originated in Ethiopia, has spread to many other countries like Zimbabwe, Congo, Kenya, Arabia, South Africa, Tanzania, Yemen and other countries. When the kat leaves are chewed, you experience the feeling of euphoria and a strange stimulation. Kat has become a cultural phenomenon for the Somali and Yemeni societies.

Khat, Qaad or Qat trees can often grow to the size of a tree. Qat contains two active ingredients – Cathinone and Cathine, which has the ability to produce euphoric, metabolic, psychotropic and cardiovascular effects like that of amphetamine.

Khat in Yemen

In Yemen, Qat chewing is a part of life. Originally, the leaves of the plant were chewed by older men in Yemen and East Africa. But now, it is hugely consumed by men of ages from 13 to 30. Until 20 years ago, Qat was only chewed as a weekend habit for the rich people. However nowadays, it is chewed everyday by a huge population in Somalia, Ethiopia and especially in Yemen. In Yemen, the social aspect of Qat chewing is more important than any other national past time

What happens in a Khat Session?

In Yemen, working days end between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm when groups of men between the age group 10 – 50 gather for Khat sessions. In almost every house, there is a big, pleasant room called the ‘mafraj’ where the Khat sessions are held. No food is served with Qat, only water is given to gulp down the Qat juices. Some 100 to 200 grams of leaves are chewed for more than three or four hours. Qat chewers relax with the feeling of euphoria that comes with the chewing of the leaves.

Khat sessions are integral part of Yemeni society. It is believed by the Yemeni people that if they quit Qaad, there will be problems in the country in the form of chemicals, heroines, cocaine and other drugs. So, the Yemeni men population chew Khat to gain energy. It is regarded as a kind of social drug.

In Khat sessions people communicate with each other. If someone has a problem, he comes to the Khat session, in the hope of finding the right people to talk and to solve his problems in large. In short, Khat sessions are kind of a communicating place for the Yemeni men. Information and ideas are exchanged and even business deals are arranged during these sessions.

This is one advantage of khat chewing for the Yemeni people.