Today was a magical day! We accepted an invitation to attend Kaleidoscope, a family-friendly event in Nashville, TN to celebrate cultural diversity. In addition to experiencing the cultural cuisine from Burma, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, we participated in a traditional Sudanese Coffee Ceremony.
This authentic experience was accented with fragrant sandalwood and light refreshments. Similar to an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, the coffee beans were imported from East Africa, roasted with cardamom and ginger by hand, pulverized with a mortar and pestle (not a blender) and brought to a boil over a small coal powered stovetop in a Jebena - In Arabic جبنة or in Amharic ጀበና.
This experience was simply beautiful! The therapeutic element of the coffee ceremony was the intentional interpersonal connection and engagement. Anyone who desired to participate enjoyed at least 3 cups of coffee, as the custom suggests, and meaningful conversation. At length we discussed topics such as; the vitality and attainability of 'The American Dream' for communities within the African Diaspora, Traditional Sudanese birth recovery customs, The current political climate of Ethiopia, and the like. How rich were these precious moments in time!
Often times our fast-paced lifestyles preclude us from the joy of relishing each gifted moment - we are too busy to be present. This is an encouragement to reclaim your power and to remember your ancestral inheritance of presence. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to prepare traditional Sudanese coffee.
Key Words: Sudan, Coffee Ceremony, Kaleidoscope, Nashville, Culture Day, Ethiopia, Jebena, Intention, Connection, Ancestral Inheritance, and Presence.
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