Wooden coffee tray Gurage #15

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. The coffee ceremony is an important social and cultural tradition in Ethiopia. For an Ethiopian, drinking coffee is a ritual, a religious celebration together with friends and family. Ethiopians use the ceremony, which can last several hours, to unwind and exchange news. The ceremony is also meant to welcome unexpected visitors. An invitation to such a ceremony is considered a sign of respect and friendship in Ethiopian and Eritrean culture.

According to tradition, there are three rounds three times a day: morning, afternoon and evening. Each ceremony consists of at least three portions... The awol, the first round in which the older or important persons are the first to receive coffee. This is followed by the other adults. Children do not get coffee but snack or popcorn. The bowl from the first round is strong. The second round, called tona, is derived from the Arabic tani, which means second. The coffee is not as strong. The final brew, in the third round, is called baraka and, because water is always added to the original coffee, is a weak decoction. Bakara means 'blessing'. When the ceremony is over, the elders bless the home and everyone goes their separate ways.