Firwa
Firwa is an alcoholic beverage made by the distillation of fermented solinum grain and sweet fruits. It has an alcoholic content of 55% by volume and bottles in circulation are usually 110 proof. Firwa is usually drunk neat amongst Minmatar descended from those captured as slaves by the Amarr, particularly several clans of the Brutor tribe.
Production
The beverage originates from the Vashkah system in the Domain region and is traditionally distilled using solinum grain, which originates on the second planet. The grain is considered a gift from God by the Amarr, and is the exclusive property of Further Foodstuffs, distributed only to members of the Ardishapur and Sarum families.
Minmatar slaves that were sent to the Vashkah system to work in the fields of the second world started stealing the grain and combining it with some of the fruits they were provided as rations in makeshift stills. The mash is fermented and the alcohol that results extracted through distillation.
The Firwa Immolations
In 22472 an assault on an Amarr Holders by a heavily intoxicated Brutor led to the discovery of firwa among the slaves on Vashkah II. Firwa was labelled a barbarity by the Amarr, who considered the theft of solinum grain a hedonistic waste of a gift from God and a defiance of their authority. Extensive searches were organized to locate those responsible over the course of a single day. Any slaves found to be producing it were harnessed in front of an assembly of co-workers, friends and family, and had the entirety of their seized stock poured over their heads before it was ignited. Each plantation had at least one member of their ranks burned in such a fashion as an example to the others, regardless of the sometimes paltry quantity of alcohol that was found in their possession.
Current Usage
Native Freshfood now manufacture and supply a version of firwa in the Minmatar Republic, though this is not produced using the traditional grain. They use stocks of Amarrian Wheat purchased legitimately on the market, but Further Foodstuffs refuses to supply solinum to anyone but the Ardishapur and Sarum families.
Firwa is also still made by Minmatar in makeshift stills, and this illegitimate beverage is much more popular than Native Freshfood’s product. Matari found to be manufacturing or distributing their own firwa can be prosecuted, as there have been incidents of batches poisoning consumers thanks to contaminants from the stills and process of manufacture. Illegality has actually increased the popularity of firwa obtained by these means, as it invites comparison to the original beverage, which was also produced without the blessings of the authority at the time.
There are occasionally batches of firwa made using solinum obtained on the black market. This product is rare, and is usually very expensive. There was controversy in YC57 when several Brutor were killed after consuming a batch of firwa made using solinum obtained illegitimately. It was alleged that the grain had been deliberately contaminated by the Amarr that had supplied it, though this could never be substantiated due to a lack of cooperation with investigators. Amarr were also been quick to denounce these allegations, stating that it would be a sacrilege to employ a sacred gift of God for such a purpose. This was the first reported case of such an incident, although there are rumored to be others. It’s also said that justice is being sought, though authorities have not been approached about the matter again.
The anniversary of the initial Firwa Immolations has been observed by families descended from those burned for several generations, especially after the Minmatar Rebellion. Many Republic citizens, particularly those related to the mostly Brutor slaves that worked the fields of the Vashkah system, will have a shot of firwa ready for the day. Despite authorities frowning on the practice it has also become a tradition to burn a black-robed, alcohol-soaked effigy of an Amarr Holder on each anniversary. Native Freshfood’s much cheaper product has usually been employed for this purpose.