Bunn Fatah Ceremony

Gihan Hassan

As a Harari woman navigating the Western world, I often find myself in an inner conflict that feels like a civil war beneath my skin. Born into the land of the West yet steeped in the traditions of my Harari heritage, my upbringing has been a scene of clashing worlds. But with this tension, I find moments of peace when I am among my Harari community. It is in these moments of sharing laughter in our native tongue and reflecting over the aroma of familiar foods that cling to our clothes after a morning spent at home that I truly feel a sense of belonging. Though handed down to us, our culture is something we must rediscover and fall in love with anew. It is a journey only a fortunate few experience, falling head over heels for the heritage that defines them.

On the 5th of July 2024, this idea of falling for our culture blossomed into a beautiful gathering of Harari youth. Together, we celebrated our culture's connection to religion portraying a blend of our traditions. The centrepiece of the evening was the coffee ceremony, traditionally known as Bun Fatah—a ritual through which women back home would gather to connect with their faith and each other.

During the ceremony, they would offer supplications to Allah for the community and remind one another of the importance of supplicating to Allah. This practice deepened their bonds and allowed them to spend their time wisely, praising and glorifying the Lord of the Worlds and our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The words of ‘Nabi Saddiqul Amin’ flowed seamlessly into a series of heartfelt supplications performed by our youth. This was followed by pouring the ‘bun’ over the frankincense, a ritual that culminated in zikris and chants that carried us deep into the night. Our youth embraced this tradition, coming together for a night of chanting, laughter, and prayer, uniting under the roof of our home away from home.

Hilal Newsletter

Gihan Hassan, Contributer

Gihan Hassan is a first-year podiatrist who enjoys reading and learning new things. She has a passion for literature and history as it presents opportunities to step back and understand the world we live in. Reading is her go-to pass time where books surround the tables and floors of her room.