THE ILLICIT GIN INSTITUTE.

The Illicit Gin Institute is a radical thinktank created by artist Zina Saro-Wiwa. This is a project that works with local spirit-making to explore issues of economic sovereignty, identity, power and indigenous environmentalism. The birth of Nigerian “illicit” gin is intimately connected with the Niger Delta and forms a buried part of the region’s rich and troubled history with the global economy. The project conducts research and expresses its findings in a number of ways:

• The Sarogua Craft distillery in Port Harcourt creating botanical palm wine spirits
• Test Kitchen in Port Harcourt where botanical chocolates, ice creams, cocktails and more are developed 
• Curated Assemblies and pop up tasting events 
• An experimental podcast exploring where drink, food, land, spirituality and politics intersect with contributions from leading thinkers, distillers, writers, scientists, activists and academics
• Contemporary art installations 
• Publication, research and performance lectures that deal with issues of the Niger Delta and Africa’s botanical and environmental heritage
• The systemic preservation of indigenous Ogoni and Niger Delta epistemologies

To learn more visit www.theillicitgininstitute.com