Buna Qalaa Ritual and Coffee Ceremony among Ilu Abbabor Oromo in Ethiopia: As Indigenous Media for Making Peace and Knowledge  Dissemination

Coffee holds significant economic and social importance in Oromo culture. it serves as a cornerstone in the community’s interaction and communications. The practice of enjoying coffee, particularly Buna Qalaa or Slaughtered Coffee, has been a longstanding ritual among neighbors. Buna Qalaa is a unique preparation involving dried coffee beans that are meticulously cleaned and cooked with butter, highlighting the ritualistic aspect of coffee-making in Oromo communities’ life. Along with coffee ceremony is not merely a culinary practice; it is a vital ritual that fosters communication, idea exchange, and unifying the community’s members. Through the sharing of Buna Qalaa, families express their hospitality and strengthen their relationships with neighbors. Additionally, the coffee ceremony serves as a platform for discussing social issues and transmitting knowledge to younger generations, reinforcing its role in cultural continuity. Despite the cultural significance of these traditions, there is a lack of scientific validation and consensus regarding their impact. This study was aimed to enhance awareness of the coffee ceremony and Buna Qalaa as essential tools for knowledge sharing and peace promotion within the Oromo community since the time immemorial. It also explores the potential of these traditions as modern communication methods. The research methodology was included  both observational data from community practices, and interviews with knowledgeable Oromo elders, supplemented by secondary sources such as stories, myths, and relevant literature, all of which were rigorously cross-verified for reliability.