Would you like a Fanta?

If I ever get the chance to meet the CEO or the marketing manager of The Coca-Cola Company

 I will probably say, “Wow, well done.”

 

In Burundi, when one visits another it has now become customary for the host to offer the visitor a “Fanta”. A “Fanta” simply refers to a carbonated bottled beverage of some type.  Your selection is usually between a Coke, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Citron.  All these products are created and delivered all over Burundi by the Coca-Cola Company in the capital Bujumbura. 

It blows my mind that the Coca Cola Company has managed to ingrain itself such into Burundian culture that it is now considered rude if you do not have Coca Cola products on hand to offer a guest at all times. A tall cold glass of good ‘ol H2O just doesn’t cut anymore.  Gimme a Coke! And please, if its warm, all the better!

I asked what was a customary guest beverage before the Coca Cola Company and the onset of Christianity.  A blank stare of confusion broke into a shy smile, "beer, I think" was the answer. 

 

(In other Burundian beverage news, I found out that the East African beer Primus is regionally owned by the Belgian beer giant, InBev.  The same company the bought out Budweiser earlier this year for some astronomical amount of money. They’re everywhere!)