tea ceremony

Tea ceremonies are popular with all generations

A great deal of ceremony surrounds the making and serving of tea in Mali, especially in the north. Every day, tea-drinking groups called grins meet to take part in the ceremony of the three teas. As the saying goes: "The first cup is strong like life; the second is sweet like love; and the third is bitter like death." The ceremony is very formal, and serving tea is an important way of welcoming someone: if strangers visit, they will always be offered tea and dates.

Even younger boys such as Dramane have taken up the ceremony.

Photo for Oxfam GB by Rhodri Jones

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