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Culture and belief-Coffee ritual in Ethiopia

Published: 2025-08-21 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2025/08/21, All Ethiopians are proud of their coffee. Yes, coffee is both a belief and a culture for them in Ethiopia. You can refuse to attend the wedding, but you must not refuse to attend the coffee ceremony, and being invited to the coffee ceremony is recognized and accepted by the local people. Ethiopia is a country with changeable landforms and various nationalities.

All Ethiopians are proud of their coffee.

Yes, coffee is both a belief and a culture for them in Ethiopia. You can refuse to attend the wedding, but you must not refuse to attend the coffee ceremony, and being invited to the coffee ceremony is recognized and accepted by the local people.

Ethiopia is a country with changeable landforms and various nationalities, and its coffee beans grow in different regions. The only thing that can be revered by more than 80 ethnic groups is coffee. Only about 40% of Ethiopian coffee is exported, and the rest is used for various forms of rituals. For example, at weddings, people make porridge of coffee beans with coffee berries and butter and salt; coffee with honey and various herbs to ward off bad luck; and coffee leaves and coffee to entertain guests. But the most important thing is the coffee drinking ceremony.

The Buna ceremony in Ethiopia is a long process, with an average of about 1.5 hours. The ceremony, which takes place every day, aims to come to the conclusion that it may be a marriage proposal or a mediation of family conflict.

The first is roasted coffee beans. When the coffee beans are roasted, the women (often dressed up) put the coffee beans into the pot and let everyone smell the coffee beans. And then I started making coffee.

During the ceremony:

The first cup, called Abol, is the most important and the worst. If you are resolving a conflict, you must bravely drink this drink and state your point of view.

The second cup is called Tona, boiled again with water, and the taste is still strong. If the other person accepts his or her own point of view, he will drink it up. If the other party doesn't drink, there won't be a third drink.

The third cup is called Baraka, when the matter is settled and the conclusion is satisfactory, it symbolizes joy, and often the younger generation will be invited to this cup.