Coffee in Ethiopia: Buna, Culture, and Global Trade
Coffee in Ethiopia: Buna, Culture, and Global Trade
Coffee in Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia, is called Buna. Coffee is not just a drink in Ethiopia — it is deeply intertwined with culture, daily life, and the nation’s economy.
The Birthplace of Coffee
Ethiopia is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee. Legend tells of Kaldi, a goat herder who noticed his goats becoming lively after eating red coffee cherries. Curious, he tried the cherries himself and felt their energizing effect. Local monks reportedly roasted the beans after tossing them in a fire — unintentionally creating the first roasted coffee.
Today, Ethiopia remains Africa’s top coffee producer and the world’s fifth largest overall. The country’s diverse coffee-growing regions, including Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar, produce beans prized by specialty roasters and served by major chains like Starbucks.
The Buna Coffee Ceremony
The Ethiopian Buna ceremony is one of the most elaborate coffee traditions in the world and a key part of social life. Traditionally, women prepare Buna in a special ritual:
- The host, often dressed in a white cotton gown, roasts green coffee beans over an open flame.
- The roasted beans are ground by hand.
- Coffee is brewed three times: the abol (first), tona (second), and baraka (third) — each round lighter than the previous one.
- Snacks like popcorn or flatbread are served, making the ceremony a warm social gathering.
Traditionally, men do not perform the Buna ceremony; when they do, it is sometimes playfully questioned. But the ritual itself is a beloved cultural anchor — a time to connect, share stories, and show hospitality.
Coffee and Ethiopia’s Economy
Coffee is Ethiopia’s main source of foreign exchange, representing up to 30% of yearly export income. More than 15 million Ethiopians depend on coffee farming and trade for their livelihood, with countless middlemen transporting beans from small farms to markets.
Despite its heritage, Ethiopia remains vulnerable to climate change and global price swings. Coffee’s unpredictable market led to the creation of the International Coffee Agreement in 1963, an intergovernmental effort to stabilize prices and support farmers. Africa plays a strong role in global coffee policy through organizations like the Inter-African Coffee Association.
Ethiopia is home to Coffea arabica, the species behind most of the world’s coffee. Unlike many coffee-producing nations, Ethiopia still has wild coffee forests where beans grow naturally.
Explore More About African Coffee
- Africa’s Coffee Trade: From Small Farms to Global Markets
- The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Explained
- How Global Trade Shapes Africa’s Economy
