The Ethiopian Buna (Coffee) Ceremony: Exploring the Impact of Exile and the Construction of Identity through Narratives with Ethiopian Forced Migrants in the United Kingdom

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Abstract

The loss of social networks, customs, rituals, relationships, authority structures and institutions, through which forced migrants had previously engaged and negotiated their sense of self on a daily basis, is key to an understanding of the experiences of migration and, in particular, its impact on personal well-being. This paper reports on oral history interviews undertaken with Ethiopian forced migrants in London, about the traditional Buna (coffee) ceremony. The study indicates that the Buna ceremony plays a significant role in the construction of identity and in determining well-being in exile.

Notes

As contributions to this section, the Editor welcomes comment and debate on topical issues or on recent articles or reviews appearing in the journal. Shorter accessibly written items of general interest and reports on work in progress are also welcome.

[1] Human rights abuses reported during 2006 included: “limitation on citizens' right to change their government during the most recent elections; unlawful killings, and beating, abuse, and mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces; poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of those suspected of sympathizing with or being members of the opposition; detention of thousands without charge and lengthy pretrial detention; infringement on citizens' privacy rights and frequent refusal to follow the law regarding search warrants; restrictions on freedom of the press; arrest, detention, and harassment of journalists for publishing articles critical of the government; restrictions on freedom of assembly; limitations on freedom of association; violence and societal discrimination against women and abuse of children; female genital mutilation (FGM); exploitation of children for economic and sexual purposes; trafficking in persons; societal discrimination against persons with disabilities and religious and ethnic minorities; and government interference in union activities” (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2006 , 1).

[2] Issues relating to ethics and some of the challenges involved in undertaking oral history interviews with Ethiopians are discussed in Palmer (2010)