We are now to describe the contiguous parts along the Nile resembling in its course the [backward] letter N. After flowing to the north from Meroe it turns to the south…then entering far into Africa it turns again to the north…In general then the extreme parts of the habitable world adjacent to the intemperate region, which is not habitable because of heat, must necessarily be defective and inferior…this is evident from the mode of life of the inhabitants and their want of what is requisite…they are for the most part naked and wander from place to place with their herds…they live on millet from which also a drink is made…
-Strabo, The Geography, B XVII, C I and II
Merissa…who wants what more is requisite once you’ve got millet beer to drink and livestock to wander or maybe stumble after? Ask Bilal, who did both at the same time when we first set out. He knew all about the intemperate region to the north, up by the Nile’s second N turn far into Africa where millet doesn’t grow. That’s where our trail led. The aseeda flour we’d have to bring with us. The merissa he’d have to leave behind, so he drank it fast.