In keeping with its strong relationship with coffee, it has
been recently noted that coffee still has a pivotal role in the daily lives of
Ethiopians.
Traditionally, it tended to be used by the locals as an
indication that it was time to celebrate – for instance, holidays and social
gatherings can often trigger a coffee brew. In particular, coffee ceremonies in
the country were times when neighbours would sit together and discuss the local
news, ‘put the world to rights’ and indulge in some social bonding.
In modern times, particularly in the cities, the practice is
dying out a little. One of the main factors which is reducing the use of the
coffee ceremony is the time that it takes up – a couple of hours or more can
pass as the coffee is prepared and there are sometimes several ’rounds’ of the
drink.
However, those who love the tradition have found new ways to
ensure that it survives. Many small coffee houses have sprung up in the cities,
with the sign welcoming in visitors to drink coffee -’Bunu Tetu.’ The ceremony
in these houses is colourful and full of tradition. For example, an enormous
Jebena (Ethiopian coffee pot) together with other articles of pomp and ceremony
are used. It may not be the old neighbourhoods which are preserving the old
tradition, but it is a ceremony that has certainly not yet died out.
http://www.worldcoffeenews.com
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