Traditional alcoholic beverage has occupied a large space in the socio-cultural history of the People of Benue State dating back to pre-colonial period. The survival of this industry in this area is however linked to the activities of women custodians.

This study examined the role of Women to the survival of Burukutu industry in Makurdi LGA of Benue State. The idea for the study originates from the desire to understand the role of Women to the continued existence of Burukutu in modern Makurdi LGA alongside different brands of modern beer.

The study adopted the multi-disciplinary and qualitative methodology based on the use of primary and secondary sources of data for its analysis.

The study established that amongst the Tiv, Burukutu has occupied a central position in the social and cultural make of the people since precolonial era. Apart from being used as an element for the expression of greatness and prestige amongst the Tiv, certain festivals and rituals such as initiation into kwav and cultic institutions like biamegh were carried out with the use of burukutu. The colonial period however threatened the existence of burukutu due to the British abrupt deployment of policies such as the 1917 Native Liquor Ordinance. The rising level of nationalism and the activities of war veterans in Makurdi in the closing days of colonialism however re-awakened the demand and consumption of burukutu up to the post colonial era. Many factors encouraged the demand and production of burukutu in the post independence era in Makurdi.

The socio-political unrest experienced in Tivland in the early years of Independence pushed many people to urban areas like Makurdi who depended on local foods and drinks for survival. The civil war periods and the state creation equally gave a major impetus to burukutu production and consumption. In modern times, economic changes and inflation of modern beer have provided a fertile ground for burukutu brewers who are making brisk business in Makurdi since the creation of Benue State in 1976.

Women have effectively and efficiently employed their enterprising skills and knowledge to exploit the potentials that exists in this local alcoholic processing venture through which it has continued to exists. These women are however constrained with the existence of economic, political and cultural barriers such as government policies and cultural belief systems. The study recommends that government and NGO intervention programs such as loans and grants should target women local beer brewers.