Tea Ceremony
Maureen Smith, Pullman Washington USA, September 2008
I have a story to share from when I was in Peace Corps, West Africa, and it is woven around the Tea Ceremony, typically shared between men. Being female presented a minor osbstacle in that women rarely participated in this ritual. I was delicately told I could not partake in the first cup, for it was too strong and could render me infertile. I laughed and told my friends that it was not a problem for me, but it was for the men. I quietly sat on the side and watched as a small, enameled tin tea pot was packed with fresh mint, tea leaves and sugar cubes. Water was added only when there was no room for any of the three ingredients. The tea pot was next heated on a small charcoal burner and soon bubbling happily.
Tea is always poured from an arm\'s length into small glasses similar to shot glasses. This distance pour allows air to mix with the thick, syrupie hot tea and puts a temporary froth on the top of the hot beverage.
After the first cup is enjoyed, more water is added to the little tea pot and again it is placed on the fire. This is repeated a third and last time.
When I inquired as to the significance of three pours, I learned a beautiful life lesson. The first cup is strong, like life. The second cup is sweet, like love. The third and last cup, is subtle, like friendship.
Thus, among friends, when sharing in the tea ceremony, one drinks to life, love, and friendship. I was deeply touched to be part of this ceremony and when included in future pours, I waited patiently for my cup of love and friendship.
