Nihamanchï is a beer brewed from manioc (Manihot esculenta) by indigenous peoples of South America. It is also known as nihamanci, nijimanche,[1] or nijiamanchi, and is related to chicha.[2]
Jívaro women make it by chewing manioc tubers, placing them in large jars, and allowing them to ferment in their saliva. Nijimanche is nutrious, and adults drink 4–5 quarts a day.[1]
The same beverage is made by the Jivaro in Ecuador and Peru (the Shuara, Achuara, Aguaruna and Mayna people); they call it nijimanche. As Michael Harner[3] describes it:
The Tiriós and Erwarhoyanas, Indian tribes from northern Brazil and Suriname, make a beverage called sakurá with the sweet variety of cassava.[citation needed]
Yagua people brew a similar beverage which they called masato.[1]