Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE COFFEE CEREMONY
The coffee ceremony typifies Ethiopian hospitality. An invitation to attend a ceremony is a mark of friendship or
respect, though it's not an event for those in a hurry.
When you're replete after a meal, the ceremony begins. Freshly cut grass is scattered on the ground 'to bring in
the freshness and fragrance of nature'. Nearby, there's an incense burner smoking with
etan
(gum). The 'host' sits
on a stool before a tiny charcoal stove.
First of all coffee beans are roasted in a pan. As the smoke rises, it's considered polite to draw it towards you,
inhale it deeply and express great pleasure at the delicious aroma by saying
betam tiru no
(lovely!). Next the
beans are ground up with a pestle and mortar before being brewed up.
When it's finally ready, the coffee is served in tiny china cups with at least three spoonfuls of sugar. At least
three cups must be accepted. The third in particular is considered to bestow a blessing - it's the
berekha
(blessing)
cup. Sometimes popcorn is passed around.
Enjoy!
Finally, in the Omo valley region of southern Ethiopia many tribal people start the day
with a calabash of fresh, warm blood straight from the neck of a favourite cow. It sounds
disgusting but fans will tell you that not only is it full of goodness but it also makes you
very strong. In fact, the male members of many Omo tribes frequently gorge on it in the
build-up to a stick fight in order to make themselves as strong as possible. And no harm is
done to the cow: they use a miniature bow and arrow to pierce a vein in the neck and the
cow appears to suffer no permanent damage.
