The ninth month of the Ethiopian solar year.
Begins on May nine with an evening taste of beer.
It’s a day for outfoot gathering
To enjoy ready-made bread, coffee, and well-cooked wheat
Sparsely-mixed with chick-peas or beans in an open-air setting.
Husbands sit with wives and children,
Neighbours also join in and chit-chat,
At 6 p.m. the ceremony begins,
And sometimes lasts well into the night.
Coffee is served in tiny cups
All are certain to have the chance,
Of sipping the first round or two,
Or even going to the third at times.
Before the end of the ceremony.
They utter blessings
Of numerous variety,
In both day and night,
Every being would envy.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition May 26/2019
BY BERHANU TIBEBU ZEWOLDE
