Chinese green tea is bringing people together in West Africa, 3 cups at a time
West Africa has embraced Chinese green tea – from government offices in Mauritania to roadside stalls in Senegal, Mali and Niger, it is at the heart of a tradition that brings people together. The ritual – known as ataya, or attaya in some countries – involves preparing and serving strong, sweet green tea in three rounds, giving family, friends and colleagues the time to talk and socialise.…
In West Africa, Chinese green tea has become a unifying force, bringing people together in government offices, roadside stalls, homes, markets, shops and workplaces. This ritual, known as ataya or attaya, involves serving strong, sweet green tea in three rounds, providing time for conversation and socializing. Mauritania, Gambia, Mali, Senegal and Niger are some of the countries where ataya is widely consumed, with China being a major supplier of the green tea.
The three rounds of tea-drinking, each lasting around 30 minutes, allow for thorough discussion of various topics, mirroring China's deep-rooted tea-drinking culture. The first round is bitter like life, the second round sweet like friendship, and the third round gentle like love. This tradition has been passed down through generations and is deeply ingrained in the identity of Sahelian people.
Chinese journalist Kouam Joel Honore, who visited Mauritania in 2021 and 2022, encountered this tea-drinking custom during his travels. He notes that the ceremony is a strong link to his roots in Niger, as it is part of his cultural identity. Senegalese artist and social entrepreneur Aldi Diasse also believes that ataya plays a similar role in Senegal, bringing people together for debates and discussions about society while sharing a meal or enjoying an evening together.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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