Stop Calling It a “Coffee Ceremony”
Let’s get this straight: I’ve always been mildly annoyed with people calling the Eritrean way of making and drinking coffee a “coffee ceremony.”
I mean, sure, I get where it comes from, but it doesn’t quite sit right. If you think about it, the blame probably falls on whoever first tried to explain the process to someone outside of the culture. Imagine this: it’s the late 70s or early 80s, and someone’s uncle at a wedding confidently declares, “Zis iz zeh coffee cera-moni!” Well, Uncle, kudos for trying, but you’ve officially made Eritrean coffee sound like a formal affair.
Let’s set the record straight.
Eritrean coffee is anything but formal. It’s slow, social, and chill—meant to bring people together and savor both the brew and the company. It's not about pomp or circumstance. It’s about sitting down, talking, laughing, sharing, and maybe even catching up on the neighborhood gossip while the coffee brews over a charcoal stove. Sure, it’s a process, and yes, it can be a centerpiece of special occasions like weddings. But outside of that? It’s just coffee, done the way it’s always been done—casual and steeped in tradition without being stiff.
Let’s take a look at the word “ceremony.” Merriam-Webster defines it as:
Ceremony
*noun | cer·e·mo·ny | \ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē, ˈse-rə-*
A formal act or event that is a part of a social or religious occasion.
Very polite or formal behavior.
So, does Eritrean coffee fit that definition? Not really. It may seem ceremonious to someone who’s never seen it before—there’s the jebena (traditional coffee pot), the small cups, the incense burning alongside it—but that doesn’t make it a ceremony. It’s not bound by rigid rules or solemn behavior. It’s not an “act.” It’s a shared experience, one that’s meant to be unrushed and enjoyed for what it is.
So, what’s a more fitting name?
Maybe we call it the Eritrean Coffee Experience, because that’s exactly what it is: an experience. It’s about connection, conversation, and, of course, coffee. You don’t need an invitation to a wedding to enjoy it. You just need good coffee, good people, and time to slow down and savor the moment.
Let’s leave “ceremony” to the formal occasions. Eritrean coffee deserves something that matches its vibe—warm, laid-back, and full of heart.