What The Ethiopian Buna (Coffee) Ceremony Can Teach Us About Slowing Down And Connecting With Others

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What The Ethiopian Buna (Coffee) Ceremony Can Teach Us About Slowing Down And Connecting With Others

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What The Ethiopian Buna (Coffee) Ceremony Can Teach Us About Slowing Down And Connecting With Others

15 min read SEP 29, 2026

Quick Answer

The Ethiopian Buna Ceremony is a traditional, oftentimes daily, coffee ritual practiced in Ethiopian cultures which involves the preparation and serving of buna, or coffee. This cherished ritual emphasizes hospitality and the strengthening of friendships and other relationships as people slow down and gather with intentionality. Here, you’ll not only learn more about this ceremony in the form of a story, you’ll also find a few thoughts in culmination, those items which highlight the applications of this cultural ritual.

Key Takeaways

The Ethiopian Buna Ceremony: A Story Of Care, Coffee, And Connection - detailing through storytelling the birthplace of coffee and the intricate details involved in the Buna ceremony
What Can We Learn From The Ethiopian Buna Ceremony? - a few take-home thoughts regarding the buna ceremony, including making time, preparation, expectations, traditions, and connection

It’s no secret that coffee brings us together.

Enter nearly any cafe in the US and you’ll find folks sitting around a small table or across from one another in large comfy chairs smiling, chatting, even laughing together in between sips.

We even open up our homes to friends, family members, and other loved ones to share conversation and care over cup after cup.

So, the idea of taking a short break from life, slowing down, and connecting with others over coffee is certainly not a new concept.

In fact, when you look at this common occurrence through the familiar descriptions shared above, you might even think we have nothing further to gain from this practice of coming together over a cup of coffee.

Of course, with phrasing like that, you know we’re about to shatter this illusion, right?

When I look at the most common scenes and practices surrounding coffee culture here in the US, I generally think we’ve got quite the handle on slow, meaningful moments of connection.

But, as I’ve learned of and now researched the Ethiopian Buna (coffee) Ceremony, I’ve been humbled - so much so that I’d like to break from our normal article structure, and instead, simply share a beautiful story, one where I see people, honor, tradition, respect, connection, and more - all centered around a shared moment in time, a shared cup of coffee…

The Ethiopian Buna Ceremony - A Story Of Care, Coffee, And Connection

According to stories, now legend, shared for centuries throughout Ethiopia and beyond, coffee was first discovered by a young goat herder in the Kaffa region (1).

Here, a young man by the name of Kaldi once noticed his goats dancing wildly in the fields.

Curious, he watched the goats over a few days, and in doing so he traced their seemingly silly actions and movements to something the goats were consuming - the small red berries or cherries of an unknown shrub/plant.

Curiouser, Kaldi decided to try the strange fruit himself, an indulgence he soon realized gave him an incredible boost of energy.

Happy with his (or his goats’) discovery, Kaldi shared his story with local monks who enhanced the experience by soaking the fruit in hot water prior to consuming the resulting infusion as a tea of sorts.

Not only did the infusion yield an incredibly delicious beverage, the monks claimed the energy they gained from consuming it aided in keeping them awake through long nights of prayer.

Since this time, the world has come to love the regional term kaffa (or coffee) as a nod to the southwestern region of Ethiopia (Kaffa) which is said to be the birthplace of Arabica coffee (2), but throughout Ethiopia, this goat-discovered beverage is truly, traditionally, known as buna, something which fills more than a mere mug or cup (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Tsehai has spent years caring for her family in ways which, though they seem small, even overlooked at times, keep each one held, fed, loved, clothed, and well.

She’s tasked with much in these seemingly small moments of life, moments which, upon reflection, are anything but trivial.

Her name means sun, representing warmth and life, a definition Tsehai thinks fondly of as she grasps the long-necked handle and wide circular base of the jebena.

Many years ago, her grandmother told her the story of its purchase, the darkly hued vessel made by hand from an elderly woman in their village.

“Each jebena is special, Tsehai, shaped with intention, a pot that will serve guests and loved ones for years to come.”

Since her childhood, Tsehai has heard about the intricate patterns on this generationally shared masterpiece, markings which were added by the potter with intention, each hand-crafted vessel possessing a uniqueness in design which would come to be a focal point around hands held, hearts shared, and bonds grown.

She carefully sets aside the jebena, her fond memories and warm thoughts filling her heart as she begins preparation for the ceremony.

It’s a routine occurrence, and she fights the monotony of the steps taken to prepare for the ceremony, instilling this tradition and its meaning for generations to come through simple, yet thoughtful explanation.

“Bring the sheers with you, and don’t forget the basket,” she instructs her daughters and nieces with a calming joy.

Her sisters are here today too, and they echo the aid of herbs, grasses, and flowers in the ceremony, their baskets soon filled with a botanical bundle to be spread on the floor of Tsehai’s home and/or burned as incense prior to guests filling the space.

“These communicate a message of respect, a welcoming, even a renewal for our guests as they arrive and enjoy this space together.”
As the preparation continues, popcorn, cooked barley, golden raisins, and savory bread are made.
And, while her sister oversees this communal effort, Tsehai takes time to personally prepare a bin of charcoal alongside the rekebot.

As she finishes, she briefly admires this small wooden table now carefully lined with small, delicate china cups, a piece which will serve as the center platform for the ceremony’s activities.

Tsehai’s family has long expected their matriarch to perform the buna ritual. So, while others extend this custom to the youngest woman in the room, here, she begins her role as the performer by filling the jebena with water and warming it over the hot coals.

As it warms, she moves her attention to the green coffee beans she’s gathered, washing them thoroughly in water to remove husks and debris until they are clean.

Placing the beans in a long-handled, wok-like pan, Tsehai begins roasting them over a small, open flame.

She stirs the beans continually, her attention fully devoted to the process, one which slowly fills the room with a pleasant aroma, wafting a welcoming invitation for guests to now snack and engage with one another as they simultaneously take in this ceremonially slow, intentional, process.

Her continual stirring promotes an even roast of the green coffee beans, efforts that continue until the beans turn hues ranging (in preference) from medium brown to near black which also boasts a slight shimmer as the natural oils from the coffee beans erupt to the surface.

At this time, Tsehai passes around the freshly roasted coffee beans, inviting her guests to take in their aroma - a time to collectively engage, breathing in not only the scent of the coffee but the warm intention behind its preparation.

Tsehai nudges her sister with an open hand and a smile, signaling the familiar time when she will use the muketcha (mortar) and zenezena (pestle) to grind the coffee beans.

By now, the water added to the jebena earlier in the ceremony is ready, so she carefully adds the ground coffee to the vessel, topping it off with more water as needed, then carefully placing it back onto the hot coals, bringing the contents to a boil.

Once brewed, she pours the buna (brewed coffee) into a decanter for cooling.

Glancing at each guest, Tsehai is encouraged and uplifted to see each one engaged in the fragrant process of the ceremony.

No rush, no anxious awaiting, only peace, only enjoyment of the practice and those present.

Once cooled, Tsehai pours the buna back into the jebena to be boiled once again before placing a horsehair filter in the spout of the vessel prior to pouring.

And, with the delicate, small cups lined up nearly 12 inches under the jebena, the matriarch whose name means warmth and life now skillfully, carefully pours the hot buna in a single stream, filling each of the cups equally.

Her guests look on in appreciative awe at her skill, and in these meaningful moments Tsehai passes her ceremonial duties to her youngest daughter, tasked with serving each small cup.

The eldest guest, or the guest of honor, is served first, and soon a small bowl of sugar makes its way around the room for those who’d like a spoonful.

Each sip is smooth, flavorful, and complex, a noticeable nod to the slow, thoughtful care given throughout each stir in roasting.

And, as the guests sip, the ceremony seems to transition from a performance to a time of sharing, where guests deepen their bonds over three rounds of buna.
According to legend, the names given to each round are linked to Kaldi’s goats, those which sampled fresh coffee cherries causing them to joyfully dance and garner the curiosity of their herder eventually leading to the enjoyment of coffee worldwide:

Abol - the first cup served, the strongest brew, symbolizing connection and respect amongst guests.
Tona - the second cup served, a slightly weaker brew symbolizing the strengthened bond of connection between those present.
Baraka - the final cup served, though significantly diluted, symbolizing blessing and goodwill, bringing both peace and harmony to those participating in the ceremony.

As the ceremony is completed, as stories conclude, and as guests depart or return to needed tasks, Tsehai picks up the jebena once again, her mind and heart freshly renewed, freshly blessed.

She recalls her first remembrance of the ceremony, helping her great-grandmother gather grasses and herbs.

And yes, she recalls the aroma of coffee which filled the room, but more importantly, as she takes the time to do so now, she remembers the faces which filled this space, the warmth, the honor, and the care given and shared amongst all.

She breathes in deeply, soon her own daughters will carry out the ceremony, following after her to perform a tradition in practice, steps which facilitate moments remembered, harmony shared, and bonds renewed with each cup enjoyed.

What Can We Learn From The Ethiopian Buna Ceremony?

The Ethiopian Buna Ceremony is carried out in times of celebration, but it’s also, more so, a daily anchor, one which serves as a reminder to slow down, share with others, strengthen relationships, and show honor and respect within families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Here in the states, a ceremony like this seems foreign…because, well, it is.

Much of American culture revolves around drive, push, and results - you know, the go-go-go loop that many of us routinely feel stuck in.

It’s what we know. It’s what we do. And, might I personally add, it’s also why (I believe) many of us feel overwhelmed, unfulfilled, and disconnected.

Of course, maybe this isn’t you at all, but if the above line resonates, consider the following buna ceremony inspired thoughts as we close.

1- Make Time

Ethiopian culture incorporates buna as a slow, often daily, practice…no rush, no hurry.

So, when I read about the buna ceremony, this takes me beyond the simple enjoyment of a cup of coffee, instead truly settling into the idea (instead of letting it be a fleeting thought) that it’s immeasurably important to take the time - to make the time - to slow down and come together with neighbors, friends, family, and loved ones.

2- Preparations

Over the last several years, I’ve increasingly heard comments about hanging out with friends with no pressure, and this has come to mean no prep, no cleaning, no readying your space for the arrival of your loved ones.

And, while I get the low-stress premise behind such sentiments, I think the buna ceremony reminds us of the value of preparation.

Your home doesn’t have to be spotless or stressed over to welcome guests, but when inviting folks into your home for the goal of connection there is great value in preparation.
Perhaps we don’t typically cut fresh grasses to lay on the floor in anticipation of guests, but a lit candle, essential oils diffused, and even a quick tidy to prepare the space serves to set intentions, even expectations of warmth, encouragement, love, and peace to be shared with your guests.

3- Expectations

We’ve spoken of affirmations in some of our blog posts, and while this isn’t entirely the same, it’s worth noting that we tend to invite what we expect.

So, as you plan to gather with friends/loved ones, whether it’s for a holiday gathering, celebration, or routine chat over a cup of coffee, consider the expectation on display in the buna ceremony - they expect guests, they welcome guests in action, they expect connection, and the entire ceremony calls for time to slow down in order for bonds to strengthen and blessings to be shared.

Whether you seek to emulate this blessed ceremony entirely or gather according to your personal style and preferences, consider what an expectation of connection and blessing, warm thoughts of your invited guests, and intentions of joy and respect could foster.

4- Traditions

Wouldn’t you agree that much of what the buna ceremony embodies can be seen in holiday or celebratory gatherings here in the US?

It seems that these types of occasions are where we typically set aside time to come together with those we love to seemingly slow down the ever-ticking clock and connect with others.

And, typically these gatherings incorporate traditions.

I know for my family, traditions are what have built the type of bonds I cherish between those I love.

However, over time, traditions can change or even end when those practices were carried out by a single person or family member.

In the buna ceremony, women were primarily in charge of the ceremony, the matriarch often being the one performing the routine and carrying out the tasks needed while simultaneously teaching future generations the details and importance of each task.

In my family, and from what others have told me I don’t think I’m alone here, many traditions seemed to end with my grandmother’s passing.
So, I’m currently speaking from experience, as I watch some of our traditions fade, when I encourage you to:

make time for tradition
make time for connection
speak of the importance of strengthened relationships (and the roles your family traditions have in this regard)
involve your children, all family members, friends, and loved ones in the traditions that serve to bring and further the bonds you enjoy in your relationships

5- Connection

When we gather with loved ones (old friends or new acquaintances included), whether it’s for celebrations, holidays, a monthly book club, an impromptu girls or guys night, etc., these times are routinely filled with laughter, love, and joy, leaving a lasting impression, a warmth and encouragement that serves to fill your cup whether you’re simply there in attendance or hosting.

And, within these times, connection seems to be inevitable, but the Ethiopian Buna Ceremony actually teaches us that there’s a little more to it than that.

The intention behind it, the preparation that goes into it, and the slow, thoughtful moments throughout the buna ceremony are a huge part of what fosters the type of connection which results from this ritual (combined with the routine nature of its practice).

I think there’s something to be said for the pattern displayed here, so I’ll leave you to ponder these culminating applications, take-home items if you will, from the beautiful Ethiopian Buna Ceremony…

the value of dedicated, slowed-down, intentional time set aside for friends, neighbors, and loved ones
the need to preserve hospitality as a revered act
the importance of intentions set towards welcoming, celebrating, and honoring guests, friendships, family members, and loved ones
a desire in our gatherings to welcome others, resolve conflict, promote harmony, and strengthen bonds
the value of presence, being more concerned with the presence of loved ones than the duties of the day/week, etc.
honoring relationships through careful, thoughtful, even routine, gatherings

Whether you’re hosting this ceremony in actuality or honoring its intentions and practices through other gatherings, may we all seek to slow down and take the time to build or strengthen the bonds we have with others when we intentionally come together over buna, or coffee.

FAQ

1- Could you list a recap of the terms used in the buna ceremony?

Buna is the Amharic word for coffee.

The jebena is a hand-made clay pot, here serving as a coffee pot, typically made by an elderly woman who incorporates patterns and designs into the pot which can speak to one’s ethnicity or status. This pot is typically passed down in families for generations.

The rekebot, or rekbot, is a small wooden box, table, or shelf on which tiny china cups are lined up. This piece is often the center of the ceremony, where the coffee will be poured once prepared.

And, as listed in parentheses in the story above, muketcha means mortar and zenezena means pestle - these tools used to grind the freshly roasted coffee beans.

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