israel: a place to share
“Can I make you some coffee?”
“Bedouin tea and coffee whenever you like!”
“Would you like some tea?”
“Is that an Aroma?!”
“The coffee will be ready soon!”
Above: Commonly uttered phrases and questions during my two weeks in Israel.
It was a beautiful thing. Constant caffeine in the system when you are traveling is helpful to give you energy to keep walking, to keep your eyes open to drink in every beautiful sight, to keep you alert to hear every interesting detail your tour guide is saying, and most helpful to give you the energy to lead a children’s camp after a night of sleeping (or trying to) next to a corral of camels in the desert.
I had been told that coffee was a big deal in Israel, especially within the Bedouin society, so I was slightly prepared. I was caught off guard at first by the intensity of the ground cardamom pods mixed in with the coffee beans, but soon became accustomed to a highly fragrant coffee experience. Fortunately coffee was always served in small, handle-less cups, so each serving was about 2 – 4 ounces.
The Bedouins do not only drink coffee for the caffeine jolt, it is a highly cherished ritual. This ritual is a manifestation of hospitality, a value of utmost importance to this ethnic group. In addition to the cultural importance of the coffee ritual, there is religious importance for the Bedouins. They believe in these words from the Prophet Muhammad: “whoever believes in God and the day of resurrection, must respect his guests” (The Bedouin Hospitality, n.d.). This mandate to honor one’s guests and provide hospitality is taken very seriously by the Bedouins.
I also felt extreme graciousness and hospitality when our group visited Lakiya Weaving. We had barely settled in to our seats after arriving and one of the hostesses automatically started pouring us bottled water into small plastic cups. Soon after we were presented with the most intensely spiced Bedouin coffee any of us had tasted! Before we had left, we were poured cups of lightly sweetened Bedouin tea. It was a hot day and late in the afternoon for us early risers, so the hydration and extra boost were needed and appreciated. The consistency and expectation of the sharing of coffee to guests is a formality and a pure expression of the “cohesion and pervasiveness of the central values” of the Bedouin culture (Leuthold, 2011, p. 149).
While in the market in Jerusalem, I purchased a small spice grinder – it will be perfect for grinding a few cardamom pods into my coffee. I’m currently on the lookout for a small cups and the beautifully designed traditional metal brewing pot. I am more of a tea drinker and usually offer that to my guests, but I think a switch to spiced coffee will be a fun (and nostalgic) change of ritual!
“Bedouin tea and coffee whenever you like!”
“Would you like some tea?”
“Is that an Aroma?!”
“The coffee will be ready soon!”
Above: Commonly uttered phrases and questions during my two weeks in Israel.
It was a beautiful thing. Constant caffeine in the system when you are traveling is helpful to give you energy to keep walking, to keep your eyes open to drink in every beautiful sight, to keep you alert to hear every interesting detail your tour guide is saying, and most helpful to give you the energy to lead a children’s camp after a night of sleeping (or trying to) next to a corral of camels in the desert.
I had been told that coffee was a big deal in Israel, especially within the Bedouin society, so I was slightly prepared. I was caught off guard at first by the intensity of the ground cardamom pods mixed in with the coffee beans, but soon became accustomed to a highly fragrant coffee experience. Fortunately coffee was always served in small, handle-less cups, so each serving was about 2 – 4 ounces.
The Bedouins do not only drink coffee for the caffeine jolt, it is a highly cherished ritual. This ritual is a manifestation of hospitality, a value of utmost importance to this ethnic group. In addition to the cultural importance of the coffee ritual, there is religious importance for the Bedouins. They believe in these words from the Prophet Muhammad: “whoever believes in God and the day of resurrection, must respect his guests” (The Bedouin Hospitality, n.d.). This mandate to honor one’s guests and provide hospitality is taken very seriously by the Bedouins.
I also felt extreme graciousness and hospitality when our group visited Lakiya Weaving. We had barely settled in to our seats after arriving and one of the hostesses automatically started pouring us bottled water into small plastic cups. Soon after we were presented with the most intensely spiced Bedouin coffee any of us had tasted! Before we had left, we were poured cups of lightly sweetened Bedouin tea. It was a hot day and late in the afternoon for us early risers, so the hydration and extra boost were needed and appreciated. The consistency and expectation of the sharing of coffee to guests is a formality and a pure expression of the “cohesion and pervasiveness of the central values” of the Bedouin culture (Leuthold, 2011, p. 149).
While in the market in Jerusalem, I purchased a small spice grinder – it will be perfect for grinding a few cardamom pods into my coffee. I’m currently on the lookout for a small cups and the beautifully designed traditional metal brewing pot. I am more of a tea drinker and usually offer that to my guests, but I think a switch to spiced coffee will be a fun (and nostalgic) change of ritual!
references
The Bedouin Hospitality. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2015, from http://www.bedawi.com/Hospitality_EN.html
Leuthold, S. (2011). Cross-cultural issues in art: Frames for understanding. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Leuthold, S. (2011). Cross-cultural issues in art: Frames for understanding. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.