A boisterous display of culture and fashion is happening in St. John’s today, made all the more special as the bearers of those traditions have come from all around the world, but have all chosen to make Newfoundland and Labrador their home.
The day started with an Eritrean coffee ceremony.
It's Refugee Week, and we're at the Association for New Canadians for an open house day full of cultural demonstrations and exchange, beginning with an Eritrean coffee ceremony. pic.twitter.com/yNsTagLkFb
— Andrew Hawthorn (@HawthornVOCM) June 19, 2019
Coffee is served three times a day in an Eritrean home. Which sounds amazing. pic.twitter.com/7RUxykLOio
— Andrew Hawthorn (@HawthornVOCM) June 19, 2019
The drink is slowly brewed in a clay pot, called a jebena, with water added slowly as it comes to a boil.
Coffee is poured for guests, in this case us, through a straw filter and served with a hearty bread called ambasha, which feels similar to toutons.
The grounds are in the pot here, with water added gradually as it boils.
You can see the grassy filter in the spout. pic.twitter.com/PcgU5BGQLy
— Andrew Hawthorn (@HawthornVOCM) June 19, 2019
The jar in which the coffee is prepared is called a jebena, and ambasha bread is served with it.
The coffee itself is extremely strong, but with almost no bitterness at all.
Simret tells me she much prefers it to Tim's. pic.twitter.com/7NOaWA2pyW
— Andrew Hawthorn (@HawthornVOCM) June 19, 2019
There are several hundred Eritreans in the St. John’s area. As she helps prepare it, Simret tells me they would do this perhaps three times a day.
Simret shows off a wheel of ambasha bread.
The coffee is not bitter at all, but strong and rich. Simret says she still prefers it to Tim’s.
It’s just one of the activities for Refugee Week, at an open house full of colourful displays and personal stories took place at the Association for New Canadians’ ESL training centre this morning.
