Bunna · Coffee ceremony
Three rounds, and time to talk.
Coffee was born in Ethiopia. Its ceremony, bunna, is a ritual of hospitality meant to be shared. At Ge’eza it takes place in the lounge or on the terrace, by reservation.
What it means
You do not have a coffee. You share one.
In Ethiopia the coffee ceremony marks welcome, conversation, sometimes reconciliation. It can take place three times a day in some homes and last more than an hour. The floor is covered with fresh grass, incense burns, and nobody leaves the room before the third cup.
The steps
From green bean to cup.
- 01
Incense and fresh grass
The floor is covered with cut grass and incense is lit. The space changes in nature.
- 02
Roasting
Green beans are washed and roasted in a pan in front of the guests, who are invited to breathe in the smoke.
- 03
Grinding
The beans are pounded by hand in a mortar.
- 04
The jebena
The coffee is brewed in a long-necked clay pot, then poured from a height into small handleless cups.
- 05
The three rounds
Abol, the first, is the strongest. Tona, the second, more nuanced. Baraka, the third, is the cup of blessing.
On the menu
The ceremony and its rounds.
Allow about 45 minutes for the full ceremony. Each round can also be ordered separately.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is one of the oldest and deepest rituals in the world. Coffee is freshly roasted, hand-ground and brewed in a clay jebena. Served in three rounds, Abol, Tona, Baraka, from the strongest to the gentlest. Allow about 45 minutes.
Full ceremonyየቡና ሥርዓት
5 000 F CFAAll three rounds, Abol, Tona, Baraka, with incense, Dabo and all the time it takes.
Abol, the first roundአቦል
2 500 F CFAThe strongest cup. Abol draws out about 65 to 70% of the available aromas. Robust, grounded, foundational.
Tona, the second roundቶና
2 000 F CFAThe nuanced cup. Tona captures another 20 to 25% of the aromas, revealing subtle notes hidden behind the first intensity.
Baraka, the blessingበረካ
1 500 F CFAThe cup of blessing. The gentlest and lightest of the three, it closes the ceremony in gratitude and calm.
House Daboገዛ ዳቦ
1 000 F CFAHomemade Ethiopian bread, served with honey. The ideal companion to the ceremony.
As a group
For a team, a delegation, a celebration.
The ceremony lends itself very well to team-building, to welcoming visitors to Dakar or to a birthday. We can privatise a space and add an Ethiopian meal.
Booking
Book your ceremony.
Ideally 24 hours ahead, especially for a group. We confirm by WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the coffee ceremony last?+
About 45 minutes at Ge'eza for the three rounds. In Ethiopia it can last more than an hour.
Do I need to book?+
Yes, ideally 24 hours ahead, especially for a group. Booking is online or by WhatsApp on +221 78 660 07 07.
Is the coffee Ethiopian?+
Yes, Ge'eza serves Ethiopian specialty coffee, freshly roasted for the ceremony.
Can we organise a ceremony for a company?+
Yes. Ge'eza welcomes teams and delegations, with the option to privatise a space and add an Ethiopian meal.