When Culture is Mindful & Mentally Healthy: The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
Pictured: My recent Ethiopian coffee ceremony including Ethiopian coffee, traditional Ethiopian coffee cup and Tena Adam (Amharic) or Rue (English)
by Tizita Seifu MA, LPCS | Therapist in Private Practice
“Sometimes living mentally healthy is about connecting to the healthy traditions of cultures familiar and cultures yet known.”
Culture and Considering Mental Health
I grew up watching my Ethiopian American family engage in the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. I realized the value for our mental health once I became a Therapist. I realized the mindful and healthy experience and impact of the coffee ceremony.
The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony traditionally begins in a home full of people and raw coffee beans. Frankincense burns first and invites you to begin to deeply engage in the present. The beans are roasted fresh, and the ground beans are slowly brewed until you get some of the richest smells and fullest flavors.
The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony & Mindfulness:
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a cultural tradition that naturally facilitates and engages mindfulness. The ceremony engages you in such a way as to increase your enjoyment, increase connection to your five senses, and increase connection to others and yourself.
5 Mindfulness Benefits:
increases awareness of and connection to your 5 senses
increases connection to yourself
increases your ability to be present
facilitates added availability to connect to others
increases relaxation and reduces stress
When Culture is Mentally Healthy
While Ethiopian coffee ceremonies are traditionally enjoyed at home, they can also be enjoyed publicly such as at local Ethiopian restaurants. If you get to experience an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, let us know about your experience below. Also feel free to comment below and share of your favorite cultural practice that helps create a mindful and enriching experience.
Sometimes mental health is about connecting to the rich and healthy traditions of cultures familiar and cultures not yet known.
Culture and Therapy
My name is Tizita Seifu. I am a Therapist in private practice who understands the richness and challenges of navigating culture. You are welcome to contact me if you would like to learn more about how to support your mental health in ways that are culturally considerate, mindful, and healthy.