Did someone say Tibs?

If you are a meat lover then Ethiopian Beef Tibs is definitely something you should try. It is delicious, tasty and filling!  My words are not enough to describe the dish so watch Ethiopian Chef, Marcus Samuelsson, describe and show you how to make it. I have also found a nice, easy to follow recipe by Chef Hanna for those who want to make it. Enjoy!

ETHIOPIAN BEEF TIBS BY CHEF, MARUCS SAMUELSSON

CHEF HANNA’S ETHIOPIAN BEEF TIBS RECIPE

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HOW TO MAKE ETHIOPIAN DORO WOT

Today we bring you a ‘taste of Ethiopia’ with the traditional chicken dish: Doro Wot. It is delicious! You might want to pop out to your local Ethiopian restaurant first to experience the taste…and then later enjoy making it with the recipe below.

Take a journey with world renowned American Chef, Anthony Bourdain and Ethiopian Chef, Marcus Samuelsson.

Now take the opportunity to cook DORO WOT for yourself!

Ingredients

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The Habesha Coffee (Buna) Ceremony

It doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing…When the Habesha coffee ceremony starts, there is always time to make time. Some things are worth waiting for.

Ethiopia is the birth place of coffee. People are often  mistaken in thinking that Coffee originated in Arabia or even Brazil/Columbia but the fact is, it originated in  Ethiopia. If you have never tasted Coffee before, then  you have never tasted Coffee…and that’s a fact.

The Basics:
The ceremony is typically performed by the woman of the household and is considered an honour. The coffee is brewed by first roasting the green coffee beans over an open flame in a pan. This is followed by the grinding of the beans, traditionally in a wooden Motar and pestle.

The coffee grounds are then put into a special vessel and boiled. The boiling pot (jebena) is usually made of pottery and has a spherical base, a neck and pouring spout, like in the picture above, and a handle where the neck connects with the base.

Watch the two videos below to understand the process and if ever invited for Habesha Coffee…be prepared for a social event with much talk and snacks…sometimes for hours. One cup is never enough…

Video One – Traditional Buna being made in Addis Ababa Merkato 

Video Two: Traditional Buna ceremony in the Home

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Lost Wax Process – Ethiopian Coptic Cross

The Ethiopian Coptic Cross has been made by ‘hand’ for centuries and even today there are still craftsmen manufacturing these stunning items by hand using what is called the ‘Lost Wax Process’.

This is an ancient casting process that uses a solid ‘wax’ frame design of the Coptic Cross design that the craftsman wants to produce.

The wax frame is then used as a mould by completely covering the frame design in soft clay. When the design is completely covered, it is set out in the sun to dry. When it is dry, it is then ‘fired’ in an extremely hot charcoal fire.

At this time, the metal used to make the desired Coptic Cross (mixed metal Silver/Brass) is prepared and melted in an ‘ingot’. The ingot sits in the burning fire with the clay moulds until fully molten.

The molten metal is then taken from the fire with the clay mould. The molten metal is then poured into the clay mould. The wax is evaporated in the mould as the molten metal is poured into it. The metal replaced the wax.

The Clay Mould is then dipped/quenched in cold water to reduce its heat so the metal will cool. It is again set aside to ‘set’

Once the craftsman is happy that the metal has become fully solid and will be workable, he breaks the clay mould. He is left with a metal Coptic Cross that he will later ‘work’ intricate designs into, until he is happy that the piece is complete

It is a truly manual process from beginning to end. Only when you realise the time and effort and skills that go into making an Ethiopian Coptic Cross do you begin to understand it’s true ‘human value’.

The fact that the whole process is done by hand with each item being handmade and engraved, you are completely assured that NO two Coptic Crosses are the same and that you are wearing or holding something in your hand that is truly unique!

Using the ancient ‘Lost Wax’ process also gives each piece an authentic ancient feel and aura that mass produced Jewellery just can not match. That in itself creates real value.

Watch the Video below to see the whole Lost Wax Process, in the making of a Coptic Cross..

The Making Of A Coptic Cross – Lost Wax Process

Where can I buy an Ethiopian Coptic Cross?

If you want to buy one the of the Coptic Crosses made in the Video you can do. Just visit our store.

When you reach the Page showing Ethiopian Coptic Crosses, simply choose the design you like, click on the button and you will be taken directly to the manufacturers page. There you will see other design you can choose from.

Please note and be assured that you will be buying direct from the supplier/manufacturer in the Video. You will own an authentic Ethiopian Coptic Cross made by hand, by the Lost Wax Process.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and video. We hope to have many more in the future!

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Ethiopian Opals Chart

Below we see a Chart depicting the range of Ethiopian Opals in existence. The beauty and range of colour and limited availability is what makes the Ethiopian Welo Opal so sort after as a precious Gem..

Ethiopian Opal Background

Although it has been reported that the North African Opal was used to make tools as far back as 4000 BC, the first published report of an Opal gem deriving from Ethiopia did not appear until 1994. This discovery was recorded in the Menz Gishe District in the North Shewa Province of Ethiopia.

The opal, found mostly in the form of nodules, was of volcanic origin and was found predominantly within the weathered layers of Rhyolite. The Shewa Province Opal was mostly dark brown in colour and had a tendency to crack which caused a lot of ‘market turmoil’ and distrust in the Ethiopian Opal.

Its flawed ‘cracking’ tendencies made it very unpopular in the gem trade and the Ethiopian Opal received a very bad name. It got so bad that it led the Ethiopian Govt to regulate the market and now, only licensed Opal Agents, can trade in their Sale.

The Welo Opal Discovery

In 2008, a new Opal deposit was found near the town of Wegel Tena, in Ethiopia’s Wollo Province. The Wollo Province Opal was different from the previous Opal finds in that it more closely resembled the sedimentary Opals of Australia and Brazil, with a light background and often with a very vivid and mystifying play-of-colour.

The Wollo Province Opal, more commonly referred to as “Welo” or “Wello” Opal, has become the dominant precious Ethiopian Opal in the worlds gem trade. Only local Farmers and Ethiopians are allowed to mine the Wello Opal which is found in a plateau between 2,500 and 3,300 Meters above sea level.

Like all mines, the Welo Opal in a finite commodity which means once it is mined there will be no more until another discovery is made. The prices of Welo Ethiopian Opals therefore remains strong and is a favourite when mounted on Silver or Gold fine jewellery pieces.

…

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Take Care Of Your Jewellery – A Basic Guide

For those that wear jewellery regularly, keeping your jewellery clean and looking good requires regular effort. Here are some general guidelines that may help:

How To Take Care Of Your Jewellery

• • Remove Your Jewellery Before Bathing
    Remove all jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film you immediately reduce the occasions of servicing.

How To Clean Your Jewellery

• • Use Jewellery Polishing Cloths for Best Results
    Using jewellery polishing cloths to take care of your Jewellery is really the best practise. Polish silver or gold with a jewellery polishing cloth gives you the best results. You can use a svelte or very soft cloth, but the professional cloths are the best. Using tissue or paper towels can cause scratches due to the fibres in the material.

• • Clean Your Jewellery With Care 
    Cleaning your own jewellery regularly can keep it looking good. You can purchase commercial jewellery cleaners or you make a cleaning solution yourself. NEVER use any type of corrosive solutions on your Jewellery eg) Bleach, Clorox etc

• • Use Warm Water to Clean Jewellery 
    Using warm water is best when cleaning your own jewellery. Hot water can cause reactions with cleaning fluids that can damage your jewellery. It might cause it to discolour. Sterling Silver is especially susceptible to this problem.

• • Avoid Cleaning Damaged Jewellery 
    Never clean any jewellery in areas that are visibly damaged, cracked or broken. Cleansing solutions can worsen the damaged area, so be extra careful when cleaning damaged Jewellery.
  • Inspect Your Jewellery Regularly
    Just like anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure you store your Jewellery properly, clean it carefully and never expose it to chemicals directly…and that includes spraying Perfume on it! Follow these above basic guidelines and your jewellery should last you a very long time!

How to Store Your Jewellery

• • Your jewellery should be the last thing you put on in the morning and the first thing you take off at night. That way, your necklace won’t get spritzed with perfume and your earrings won’t get caught in your clothes. To prevent scratches and tangles, separate pieces on velvet-lined trays, in boxes with compartments, or in small zipper plastic bags.

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Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou (born December 12, 1923)

Many will know the story of Emahoy, more commonly known as Maryam, a very accomplished Pianist, and well known figure in Ethiopia’s musical circles. Often refereed to as ‘Ethiopia’s Singing Nun‘ Maryam still puts out her music to a hungry audience. She insists she is not Jazz influenced but anyone who listens to her music will see the obvious parallels.

Take a listen…at 94yrs old, she is undoubtedly one of Ethiopia’s oldest musical talents!

Maryam is seen here in her living quarters with Piano by her bedside…

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