Sahara TEA

In the Saharan provinces, serving tea is a special ritual that can be prepared at any time of the day. Although tea is not a goal in itself, no assembly can be held or evening of entertainment without the tea and ceremonial that accompanies its preparation. Indeed, the latest news is exchanged and the affairs of the everyday life are discussed around a tray of tea.

Among the treasured traditions, we find what the Saharawis call the theory of three "J" tea preparation, Jamaa (the group or the community), which means that the tea service is at best when one is in a group and the more there is and the better.

The second "J" corresponds to the Jarr (the extension). This means that when the preparation is long, it gives the assembly enough time to deal with various socio-economic issues with complete peace of mind and without any stress.

The third "J" corresponds to the Jamr (coal lit). This is the traditional charcoal fire used for the preparation of tea and which gives it all its flavor.

Tea is a product of first necessity. He is present in all houses and tents (Al khayma). It is a mark of hospitality and welcome since it is systematically offered to the guests. For this reason, the Saharawis have always made sure to dispose of the tea quit to import from distant countries. They also exchange one or more heads of cattle against bags of tea and sugar.

The tea preparer, called Al qayam, is selected from the community based on several criteria including eloquence, reading and poetry, nobility and broadmindedness. The allocation of the tea preparation to a member of the assembly is considered more as a pleasure and an honor conferred than a chore to undergo.

The Sahrawis like to observe Al Qayam preparing the tea for them to comment on any clumsiness that it would commit. These include: the mishandling of the utensils, the presentation of unboiled cups, the lack of cleanliness of the tea tray, the lack of communication and any other breach of the festive and community spirit of the preparation.

Among the virtues of the consumption of tea, we can mention the facilitation of digestion, the favoring of pshychic activity. Tea also fights against the major factors of aging and cardiovascular disease.

For these reasons and many others, Sahrawis consume a lot of tea. They take it after each fatty meal made from meat.

Al qayam, who excels in tea making, is called Fulan Tayyay (the good preparer). During the preparation and consumption of the tea and when the assembly is composed of young people, the empty glasses are launched in the direction of Al qayam in recognition of the quality of its tea preparation.

It can happen that after a long session of tea consumption, some late guests arrive. In this case the hosts shout: Nâllou Atay (should we prepare the tea again?), In honor of their guests and in consideration of their desire to prolong the tasting of the tea.

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