Buna Tetu!

Many people don’t know this, but coffee actually originated in Ethiopia, around the 9th century. The legend behind how coffee began is a tale as old as time. The story goes that a farmer boy one day saw his goats behaving strangely, dancing and bleating in a very unusual way. He observed them more, and saw that they were eating strange cherries, which seemed to make them energetic. After trying the coffee cherries for himself, he found similar patterns in himself. He was energetic and hyper, and immediately ran home to tell his wife about his findings. He then brought it to a monastery, where the monks did not appreciate the discovery. They claimed it was the work of the devil, and threw it into a fire nearby.

However, we all know the aroma of coffee beans is unlike any other, and smelling the scent of the coffee cherries roasting in the fire was powerful enough to make the monk think twice. The story goes that the coffee cherries were taken out of the fire, smashed to put out the embers, and then preserved in a vat of hot water. The aroma appealed to monks all over, and they found that the energizing effects kept them focused during their religious studies. 

There are alternate tellings of this legend - with some small parts changed. However the origin is not what makes coffee so important in Ethiopia today. Coffee is not only a significant cultural factor in Ethiopia, but also an important economic factor. Coffee is Ethiopia’s #1 export, and help aid them in their development and economic growth. Ethiopia exports coffee to over 60 nations, with the top three being Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. 

In the United States, coffee is seen as something that can be social, but more seen as a source of caffeine to keep people energized. In Ethiopia, it is first a social event, and second as a source of caffeine. In Ethiopia, making coffee and serving coffee is an hour (or more) long process, and full of tradition. This is because drinking coffee is one of the main ways people socialize. People get together, sit and wait for coffee, take in the scent, talk about their days, meet new people and enjoy each other's presence. It’s not something you put in a cup and take on the train with you, there is far too much cultural significance to have it just be a means to become more energized. 

The process of making coffee is a long one, but I’ll do my best to summarize the main parts of it. First off, people take seats in the room of the ceremony, and get comfortable (as was previously mentioned, this is a long process). Then the host begins by roasting the beans. People who participate in Ethiopian coffee ceremonies say that at this point when they can start smelling the coffee, is when excitement starts to grow. The host at this point might take the aromatic experience even further, by holding the pan up to people’s noses, and lighting other forms of incense to increase the experience. Many also claim that these aromas can actually increase fertility. The host will heat up the pot to a boil, and back down, and then to a boil, and then back down, multiple times before pouring it into cups. This is to make sure that the coffee is at the most pristine condition before it is served. Around this time, it’s not uncommon for small snacks such as fresh popcorn to be served, to keep the guests comfortable and not too anxious for the coffee. Last but certainly not least, the coffee is poured into cups and sugar is sometimes provided.

If this didn’t prove already just how important coffee is to Ethiopian culture, there are also phrases in Amharic that relate to coffee. The first one is; “Buna dabo naw” which translates to “coffee is our bread”. As an American, that one makes a lot of sense to me. Bread is crucial to the American diet, and associating coffee with Ethiopian food as I associate bread with American food speaks volumes as to how important it is to the culture.

The second phrase around coffee that I found was “Buna Tetu”, which means “Drink Coffee”. Although this might not sound like a saying or a phrase, there is a deeper meaning to this quote. It does technically mean that you should simply drink coffee, but it also means that you should experience what coffee means in Ethiopia, which is socializing and meeting new people. Going off this meaning, if someone were to say to you “I don’t have anyone to drink coffee with”, they aren’t saying that they literally don’t know anyone else who likes coffee. They are saying that they don’t have people in their life that they are close enough with, or feel connected enough with to socialize over coffee. 

So, would you like to get some coffee?

Eater1, Eater, director. Coffee Is the Backbone of Ethiopian Culture - Even in Brooklyn. YouTube, YouTube, 15 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=echYUZMCZbs.

Goodwin, Lindsey. “Ethiopian Coffee Culture - Legend, History and Customs.” The Spruce Eats, 17 Sept. 2020, www.thespruceeats.com/ethiopian-coffee-culture-765829.

TRT World, director. The Story of Ethiopian Coffee. YouTube, YouTube, 24 Feb. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4-99q-nfvY.

Weins, Mark, director. Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony - How to Drink Traditional Coffee! YouTube, YouTube, 2 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4zgoR_8UJY.