Jebana from Ethiopia

This is a jebana (sometimes spelled gebana.) Pronounced something like: "jb'n-UH" mash the three consonants together and add a clipped UH to the end.

Your jebana will arrive with the woven ring and matching wooden stopper.

This is a very special item to use or just to admire. The jebana is a handmade clay vessel used in traditional Ethiopian coffee preparation. The bottom is rounded and sits in a specially woven ring, or sometimes directly in sand. And hey, this jebana is the real thing! so dive in and USE it. Being handmade, sizes vary somewhat between pots.

Jebanas are fragile and may be shipped separately from the rest of your order.

Details

(hint. When you get your jebana, you'll need to prepare if for use before making coffee the first time. It is handmade from clay and fired, so you'll find some ashy flakes inside from the firing. 

To prepare the jebana fill halfway with warm water and slowly bring to a boil. Add finely ground coffee and boil. Be careful that the grounds don't boil over. Adjust heat to simmer for an hour. Remove from heat and let it sit overnight. Empty the Jebana of grounds, wash, and dry. Your jebana is now ready to use.)

Videos

Here are some more videos of your Jebana in action from traditional to modern.

Product Details

During the coffee (buna) ceremony which can take more than an hour, coffee is roasted, ground and poured for friends. Grass is layed out on the floor and at the door- an invitation. While roasting beans over charcoal a woman sits on a low stool and the jebana (jar) is heating water. This is a highly social event! there is talking, discussing, relaxing. Preparing the coffee is very similar to making turkish coffee. As the coffee bubbles, frankincense is burned in the coals and adds to the aroma of the room.

The coffee is served in three stages: Abol, Tona, and Baraka. Each is progressively weaker, the third is for luck. Popcorn and barley are snacks and part of the ceremony.

Most big cities have Ethiopian communities and restaurants. Find them! Go experience coffee and enjoy from the culture that started it all.