Africa - The Birthplace of Coffee
Many of us won’t even consider starting the day without our daily jolt of coffee.
For centuries, people all over the world and from all walks of life have enjoyed sipping this tasty, caffeinated beverage. But coffee is more than a simple drink. Its social aspect throughout history cannot be denied. Sipping a cup of coffee is a ritualistic experience for some. Coffee houses throughout the ages have provided a place for people to share art, poetry, music, politics and simple camaraderie.Coffee as an Industry
There’s no denying it—coffee is big business. Check out these impressive stats:
- It is the world’s second most-traded commodity (petroleum is the first)
- The global coffee market earns nearly $60 billion annually
- Around 7 million tons of green coffee beans are produced each year worldwide
- World coffee exports amounted to 8.85 million bags in the month of December alone, according to the International Coffee Organization
Roasting Ethiopian Mountain-Grown Coffee Beans
In the Beginning
The origins of global coffee growing can be traced to the Horn of Africa. This is also where the beverage was first enjoyed. Coffee trees originated in the Ethiopian province of Kaffa.From there, coffee made its way to the Middle East. By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated in Yemen. And in 1616 the Dutch brought live coffee plants back to the Netherlands to grow in greenhouses. It quickly spread to the rest of Europe, and as they say, the rest is history.
Coffee Plants
Today, coffee is grown in 53 countries around the world—all of them near the equator, including several on the African continent. Coffee plants need lots of sunshine and moderate rainfall to thrive. There are essentially two different varieties of coffee—Arabica and Robusta. Gourmet coffee comes from Arabica beans, while Robusta beans are typically used in instant coffees. Arabica beans come from the plant, Coffea Arabica, which was originally found in the mountains of the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Coffea Arabica accounts for 75-80% of the world’s coffee production.Keep your coffee beans on your countertop in style!
Arabica beans generally grow at altitudes between 450-1800 meters (1500-6000 feet). They can’t handle any frost. The plant has lush, shiny green leaves, with an open branching system. Cultivated plants are usually trimmed, but a wild coffee plant can grow 9-12 meters (29-39 ft) tall.
A mature coffee plant will produce around 2,000 coffee cherries a year, which will yield enough beans for half a kilo (one pound) of roasted coffee. The plant will continue to produce coffee beans for about 15 years. African Coffee Countries Some of the best coffee in the world comes from the African continent. Talk to any coffee connoisseur around the world, and they’ll likely sing the praises of many African coffees. Ethiopia is still the powerhouse of Africa when it comes to coffee. Ethiopian coffee comprises 3% of the global coffee market, and a staggering 60% of Ethiopia’s foreign income comes from coffee. It’s estimated that 15 million people in Ethiopia depend on coffee production for some part of their livelihood. Ethiopian Sidamo and Harrar are two coffee beans that are in world demand. Sidamo is grown in the Sidamo Province of Ethiopia. It’s heavy-bodied with a spicy, almost chocolaty taste. Harrar is one of the oldest coffee beans still produced. Workers still sort and process the beans by hand. Harrar offers a rich, fruity, wine flavor.Pick A Pocket's Media Team was in Addis Ababa recently to gather some new material - all part of an exciting new face and new direction for The Koshe Project (an admirable undertaking helping young girls in Ethiopia).
While there, they shot this video about the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, which is an indispensable tradition in daily Ethiopian life, and a cornerstone of hospitality and friendship.
"Incense is lit and coffee beans are carefully washed, roasted and ground by hand, then brewed in a clay Ethiopian coffee pot over hot coals. Once ready, the dark, flavorful buna is enjoyed in small cups and the ceremony repeats twice, providing plenty of time for those gathered to converse and share stories."
Kenya is also well-respected for its coffee beans. Kenyan coffee is known for its bright acidity, its sweetness and a dry wine after taste. Kenyan coffee is mainly produced by small cooperatives. Auctions are held in Nairobi each Tuesday during the harvest season. Competition can be fierce. Uganda is also a major coffee growing country. But unlike Ethiopia and Kenya, Uganda focuses its efforts on producing the hardy robusta bean. Compared to Arabica beans, robusta beans are cheaper and easier to farm. Coffee makes up 95% of Uganda’s exports. 300,000 farmers grow coffee in Uganda, so it’s essential to the country’s well-being.
Fair Trade
Coffee is vital to many developing countries’ economies. For years coffee growers received a ridiculously small amount for their efforts—just pennies per pound of beans. But steps are being taken to rectify this injustice. Fair trade regulations, which are designed to give those working in developing countries a living wage and ensure sustainable farming practices, are growing in popularity and effectiveness. Coffee primarily comes from small farmers from less-affluent areas. So an increase in fair trade agreements (even huge multinational companies, such as Starbucks and Nestle are now on board) will surely increase the standard of living for those who work so hard to make our daily cup of Joe possible. Our good friends at Barocco - Café Artigianale - offer two amazing blends we highly recommend. Biondo - a 100% Arabica coffee, blending both African and South American beans for subtle floral hints and a smooth sweet finish. We especially enjoy Scurro - a 100% Arabica dark roast - also a blend of African and South American beans. Scurro has a strong body and aroma with an earthy taste and a hint of smokiness. Barocco's coffee blends reflect their origins as well as their roast profile.The Zulu Kingdom: Click Speaking, Miriam Makeba and More!
The Zulu (pronounced ZOO-loo) people are one of the most well-known groups in Africa, most notably for their unique style of speaking. Descendants of the Nguni-speaking people, they are known for their "click" speaking and singing.
Today, close to 10 million Zulu-speaking people live in South Africa, primarily in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Some also reside in other areas, including Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. However, the Zulu tribe’s people are concentrated in rural and urban communities in the southern part of the continent. To learn more about the culture and history of the fascinating Zulu people, we highly recommend viewing this video - Kingdoms of Africa: The Zulu Kingdom (Episode 6 of 8 about the Kingdoms of Africa). "Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also known as Shaka Zulu was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom. He is widely credited with uniting many of the Northern Nguni people, specifically the Mtetwa Paramountcy and the Ndwandwe into the Zulu Kingdom, the beginnings of a nation that held sway over the portion of southern Africa between the Phongolo and Mzimkhulu Rivers, and his statesmanship and vigour marked him as one of the greatest Zulu kings. He has been called a military genius for his reforms and innovations, and condemned for the brutality of his reign." Source: Kingdoms of Africa. Here is a map showing the approximate geographical area of South Africa where isiZulu is spoken (indicated in blue)
isiZulu Language
Zulu Musical Style
As with many Africa cultures, music is a group activity for the Zulu people. Often,all village members will join in producing the music that accompanies ritualistic dance. Members of the group will gather around the main performers of the dance, singing in unison while other members play instruments.
Zulu Instruments
The Zulu use many musical instruments that are common to African music. They employ several types of drums, including the djembe drum and the ngoma drum, into their performances, as well as ankle rattles, shakers, rain sticks and bells. The Zulu also use their bodies as instruments by clapping and slapping parts of their bodies rhythmically.
- c: dental (comparable to a sucking of teeth, as the sound one makes for 'tsk tsk')
- q: alveolar (comparable to a bottle top 'pop')
- x: lateral (comparable to a click one may do for a walking horse)
The Zulu Alphabet
Here is a chart outlining the Zulu pronunciation and click consonants that make up the language: Source: http://www.omniglot.com/writing/zulu.htmLearn the Zulu Click Sounds
Talking about the Zulu language is one thing, but actually hearing the sounds and learning how to make the click sounds will provide you with proper context. Here are a number of instructional videos that will teach you about the basics of the click speaking of the Zulu Tribe:Q, Qh & Gq Click Sounds
X, Xh, Gx Click Sounds
Learn more about pronouncing click sounds by subscribing to Learn Ndebele on YouTube Photo credit: Retlaw Snellac Photography via photopin ccThe Maasai Olympics: Replacing Hunting for Lions with Hunting for Medals
Lion Hunting: A Maasai Tradition
Lion hunting is a tradition in Maasai culture. In the past, hunting was used as an event to signify the transition of young men into manhood. Lion hunting was also a symbol of strength, vitality and prowess to attract females. However, over the years, the tradition of lion hunting has had a significant negative impact on the number of lions, rapidly decimating their population in Africa. Realizing the impact Maasai traditions were having on the lion population, they decided to change their culture for the better in 2012. WATCH: The Hunt for Medals, not Lions : The First Maasai Olympics. Source: The Big Life FoundationReplacing Hunting for Lions with Hunting for Medals
Rather than focusing their efforts on hunting lions, the Maasai people made the transition to focusing on sport competitions, creating the Maasai Olympics in 2012. The Maasai Olympics is an organised Maasai sports competition based upon traditional warrior skills. It allows young men to compete for recognition, express their bravery, help identify future leaders, and to impress women. It was first held in 2012, was a raging success, and the event has continued to grow over the past few years. “In truth, this program is very successful, and we are now doing something honourable. We used to celebrate lion hunting, but this program has shown us a better celebration,” says Iltuati, Maasai Warrior, Amboseli-Tsavo Ecosystem. Here are the highlights from the first event:- It was first held on December 22, 2012
- It was first held in southern Kenya
- 25 athletes from 4 warrior villages in the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem participated
- The event is supported by the African Wildlife Foundation and local sponsors
The Events
There are 6 core events held as part of the Maasai Olympics. They are a combination of traditional running and throwing skill events, all skills that were previously used to hunt lions (running, herding, throwing). Events include:- Rungu throwing for accuracy
- 200 meter sprint
- Spear throwing for distance
- 800 meter sprint
- 5 kilometer run
- High jump
Three Levels of Competition
While the Maasai Olympics takes place on a single day each year, it is actually a three phase event that plays out over the course of the year. Here are the three levels of competition- Local level competition: Warriors receives training in the events and compete to be selected to one of the four teams across the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem. As outlined on maasaiolympics.com, “Each will represent a warrior manyatta (village) that will host in aggregate 4000+ young men during their 12 to 15 years of warriorhood.”
- Regional level competition: Teams compete against the other three manyattas of the ecosystem.
- Olympics Day: This is the official Maasai Olympics event day. The events receive national coverage, and the event is attended by government, media, tourists and family. The four teams compete in 6 events for medals and prizes. The overall winners receive a trophy and prized bull.
Back In Time: The Hadzabe People of Tanzania - A Photo Journey
Imagine a society with no warfare, no rules, no official leaders, no known history of famine and relatively no personal possessions; a place where people truly live in the here and now.
Well, such a place still exists.
In northern Tanzania—in one of the harshest environments on the planet—live the Hadzabe people. The Hadzabe are a small indigenous ethnic group, numbering fewer than 1,000. The Hadzabe are one of the few truly hunter-gatherer societies left in the world and are the last true nomads of Africa. They grow no food; have no livestock and almost no possessions. They have no calendars or clocks, or even permanent shelters. The Hadzabe speak a unique native language called Hadzane. It is not closely related to any other that still exists. The language is filled with sounds, such as tongue clicks, that are so different from most languages. The language doesn’t have words for numbers past three or four. Amazingly, this little cultural pocket of the world is little changed from 10,000 years ago. Living off the Land The Hadzabe live around Lake Eyasi in the central Rift Valley and in the Serengeti Plateau. In this hot, dry harsh terrain there is a shortage of fresh water and, for an outsider, food may not seem plentiful, but for the Hadzabe their home is filled with everything they need. It’s estimated that the Hadzabe spend about four to six hours a day actively pursuing food. The women collect berries and baobab fruit, while the men collect honey and hunt. Men use a bow and arrow to hunt. The bows are made out of animal tendons, and the arrows are dipped in a poison made from local plants. The poison on the arrowheads is potent enough to kill a giraffe. Men usually hunt alone, but sometimes when they’re hunting larger prey, such as a baboon, they’ll go as a group. Their kills are brought back to the camp, where they are shared with everyone. Sometimes, if the kill is especially large, the whole camp will move to the carcass to feast. It’s not just food that the Hadzabe get from the land. They also know where to get water from trees, how to make various medicines from plants and they still make fire by rubbing sticks together. A Dangerous Life Although the thought of not being burdened by too many possessions and rules may be appealing to some, the Hadzabe do not live what most of us would consider an easy life. They face constant dangers. About 1/5 of all babies die before reaching their first birthday, and almost one-half of children don’t make it to age fifteen. In addition to the extreme heat and lack of drinking water, the Hadzabe must contend with poisonous spiders and scorpions, black mamba snake bites, malaria, and of course the many large animals that would make a quick meal of a human. The Ever-Creeping Outside World While there are roughly 1,000 people who are identified as Hadzabe, today only around 300 of them live the traditional lifestyle. As with many indigenous groups, the outside world has slowly encroached upon the Hadzabe. By some estimates, they have lost as much as 90% of their homeland. There are now even dirt roads at the edges of their land. Some Hadzabe are learning to speak Swahili to communicate with other groups in the area, and there are even a handful of Hadzabe people who speak English. The double-edged sword of tourism is another outside influence that cannot be ignored. Hopefully those who are fortunate enough to visit with the Hadzabe people will do so responsibly and be influential in helping to protect their ancient way of life.View The Hadzabe through the revealing lens of Aliakber 'aZh' Zoeb and benefit from a 15% pre-release discount for our Zawadee Insiders & Facebook fans. Available in a variety of different sizes and choices of media (paper, Canvas, etc.), Ali's photographs are powerfully unique elements for any home or office décor.
Zawadee - Bring Africa Home is pleased to announce that we now represent the esteemed photographer - Ali 'aZh' Zoeb a renowned Tanzanian fashion, editorial and lifestyle photographer.
Valued as one of Tanzania's best fashion photographers, Ali's passion for portraiture sings out in his photographic series of The Hadzabe - Living in the Here & Now.Serval Cats: Africa's Lesser-Known Big Cat
Africa is home to an incredible array of fascinating animals—among them many of the world’s most majestic big cats.
You’ve no doubt heard of lions, cheetahs and leopards, but are you familiar with the slightly smaller African wild cat—the serval?
With their small heads, large ears, long necks, long skinny legs, long slender bodies and short tails, Serval cats have an almost patched together appearance. They’re even referred to as “the cat of spare parts.” From a distance, they slightly resemble a cheetah, as they have similar coloring and markings, but servals are smaller. They typically weigh between 13- 18 kilograms (30-40 pounds) and are around 53-56 centimeters (21-22 inches) tall at the shoulder. Here are some other interesting tidbits about this distinctive big cat from Africa:- The name, serval, is derived from a Portuguese word meaning “wolf-deer”
- Servals have the largest ears of any cat
- They love to climb, leap and play in the water
- A serval standing on its hind legs, can jump 2.7 meters (more than 9 ft.) straight up in the air
- Their hind legs are longer than their front ones
- They were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians
A Formidable Hunter
Despite their patched together appearance, or perhaps because of it, servals are extremely effective hunters. With the aid of their over-sized ears, servals have excellent hearing. They can hear their prey of choice—small mammals, such as rats and mice—rustling through the grasses and pounce accordingly. Servals can launch themselves high in the air with their long slender hind legs and snatch small birds from the air. But their prey isn’t limited to the land or air. Using their curved paws, servals are able to pluck fish and frogs right out of the water. Of course, servals are not the largest animals in the African savannahs, and must be on-guard from their many predators. As with many wild animals in Africa, servals face threats from those larger than themselves, including leopards and spotted hyenas. And not surprisingly, they must also contend with another usual culprit—people. Human encroachment is gobbling up the servals’ habitat, and unsavory poachers have been known to hunt servals for their beautiful skins, which are used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes, and sometimes sold to tourists. Serval meat is also considered a delicacy by some tribes.Family Life
Similar to cheetahs and leopards, servals are primarily solitary animals. Both male and female servals maintain their own territories and mark them with their scent. The female serval raises her young on her own. A typical litter is between two to five kittens. The male kittens are kicked out of the den at about six months, but their sisters may stay with the mother until they’re two years old.Out of the Wild
Unlike some exotic animals, servals are not a rarity in captivity. There are 292 servals in zoos worldwide (130 of them in the U.S.), according to International Species Information Service.
There is also a demand from some to have this wild animal as a domesticated pet. Even a cursory internet search brings up dozens of breeders pedaling serval cats as household pets. But if you want to see the beauty of the servals in their natural habitat, you’ll have to book a flight to Africa, as that’s the only place in the world where they’re found in the wild.Zawadee African Wildlife
Cover Photo Source: photo credit: Dominik the serval walking via photopin (license)
Living On The Brink: The Omo Valley Tribes of Ethiopia
photo credit: Dassanech Girl, Omerate, Ethiopia via photopin (license)
Here are some traditions of the Omo Valley tribes:- The Mursi: The Mursi’s traditions include body painting, decorative scarring and piercing. Some Mursi women still hold onto the tradition of piercing and then slowly stretching their lower lip with a clay plate, up to 18cm (7in) wide. The lip plate is done to attract a spouse. There are few mirrors around so boys usually paint one another with elaborate designs. Mothers paint their babies, so the traditions start young.
- The Suri Tribe: The Suri use flora and fauna for decoration. They make elaborate head ornaments from leaves and branches.
- The Karo Tribe: The Karo paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for ceremonies. They sometimes wear face masks and clay hair buns with feathers stuck into them. The women sometimes scar their chests, believing it makes them beautiful. Men also scar themselves, representing an enemy or dangerous animal they’ve killed.
- The Hamar (also known as the Hammer or Hamer) Tribe: The Hamar people wear colorful bracelets and beads in their hair. Some women wear circular wedge necklaces to show they are married. Men wear hair ornaments to represent a kill of an enemy or animal. Men also paint themselves with white chalk for ceremonies.
Try our Ethiopian Micro-Lot Coffee - Small Batches, Single-Origin
Try our Ethiopian Micro-Lot Coffee - Small Batches, Single-Origin
Get To Know Africa Series: The Unbelievable Beauty of Cape Floristic
About 25 miles south of the bustling city of Cape Town, tucked near the southern tip of South Africa, is one of the most gorgeous and unique displays of plant life in the world.
The Cape Floristic Region is one of just six designated floral kingdoms worldwide. Africa is proudly home to 129 World Heritage sites, spread over 37 African countries. In 2004 the Cape Floristic Region was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes 8 nature reserves and wilderness areas, including Table Mountain National Park.Looking to echo the vibrant colors of the Cape flowers in your wardrobe?
Well you can, with our collection ofGet To Know Africa Series: Wildlife Abounds In the Kenyan Lake System of the Great Rift Valley
Imagine seeing upwards of a million and a half vibrant-colored flamingos congregated on the shores of a single lake.
Well, it’s not an uncommon occurrence in the Kenyan Lake System of the Great Rift Valley. The Kenyan landscape is dotted with 64 lakes. And nestled near the equator are three very special lakes— Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita. These lakes aren’t particularly large, and they’re relatively shallow, but together these interlinked lakes comprise one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. A grateful thank you to Michael Douroux for this lovely little video of flamingos on Lake Nakuru. These highly alkaline lakes have an abundant growth of green algae, which feeds an amazing number of birds. People come from all over the world to watch the flamingos’ majestic feeding frenzy take place. The Landscape In 2011, the Kenyan Lake system was designated a World Heritage Site. The protected property covers a relatively small area of 32,000 hectares, but is an essential feeding ground for hundreds of different species of birds. Major tectonic and volcanic events helped shape the diverse landscape. The lakes are surrounded by hot springs, geysers, volcanic outcrops, forests, and open grasslands. The lakes are located at an altitude of around 1500 meters, so they have a high rate of evaporation. This can cause marked fluctuations in water levels. While the flamingos may be the premier event, the protected area also boasts a number of other impressive animals. Black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, greater kudus, lions, cheetahs and wild dogs also roam the area.Rothschild's Giraffe
A Bird Paradise The diversity of birdlife in the region is amazing. There are as many as 480 bird species at Lake Nakuru, 450 species at Lake Elementaita and 370 at Lake Bogoria. The area is home to 13 globally threatened bird species. The lake system is the most important foraging site in the world for the lesser flamingo. Lesser flamingos are the smallest species of flamingos, with a standing height around 80-90cm (31-35in). They’re classified as near-threatened, so if you want to see them in large numbers, the lakes are a prime spot. Much of the year up to four million lesser flamingos move between the three lakes taking advantage of the plentiful green algae, which are an important food source for them. Although the algae are blue-green in color, they contain photosynthetic pigments that give the birds their distinct pink color. Greater Flamingos are also found in large numbers in the area. They’re bigger than their cousins at 110-150cm tall (43-60in), and they have a distinctive black spot on the tip of their bills.
Greater Flamingo
Lake Elementaita supports the region’s main breeding colony of Great White Pelicans with around 8,000 pairs. Great White Pelicans are among the largest birds on earth with an awe-inspiring wingspan of 226 to 369cm (7- nearly 12 ft.).Great White Pelican
- Black-Necked Grebes,
- African Spoonbills,
- Pied Avocets,
- Little Grebes,
- Yellow Billed Storks, and
- Black Winged Stilts.
The Black Winged Stilt
African Wild Dogs: A Beautiful Animal on the Brink of Extinction
The Basics about African Wild Dogs
Although about the size of a medium domestic dog, you won’t confuse these animals with your pet. They have mottled coats with patches of red, black, brown, white and yellow fur. Each dog has a unique color scheme, so they can recognize each other at great distances. These long-legged animals have dark brown circles around their eyes and big rounded ears. African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) also share these interesting characteristics:- Typically weigh between 17-36 kg (37-79 lb), and are about 60- 75 cm (24-30 in) tall at the shoulder
- Only have four toes per foot
- Are also called cape hunting dogs or painted dogs
- Can live up to 11 years
- Can cover an astounding 50 km (31 mi) a day looking for food
- Sleep during the day
- Have litters of 2-20 pups, but of course not all survive
You might also enjoy our blog series Getting To Know Africa. Here's a taste of this interesting series - Get To Know Africa: Wildlife Abounds in the Kenyan Lake System of the Great Rift Valley.
Cover Photo Source: photo credit: Rare Painted Dog via photopin (license)Getting To Know Africa Series: The Journey to Aldabra Atoll
Hundreds of kilometers off the coast of Madagascar exists a special place, which has remained relatively untouched by humans.
There are numerous islands scattered in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, and among these is the Aldabra Atoll. This island ecosystem—which belongs to the Seychelles—consists of four islands surrounding a large shallow lagoon. Aldabra is the world’s second largest coral atoll, and the largest raised coral reef in the world reaching up to eight meters above sea level. At 34 kilometers long and 14.5 kilometers wide, Aldabra isn’t that big, but it boasts the largest giant tortoise population in the world.Video Source: One Green Stone
Here are some other tidbits about the giant tortoises:- They belong to an ancient group of reptiles appearing about 250 million years ago.
- They’re related to Madagascar tortoises.
- Some individuals have been known to live over 250 years.
- They have long necks so they can stretch and tear branches from trees.