The Simplicity of Words Series: Part I (Poems of Agaila Abba)
The Saharawi Tea Ceremony “Salam Aliukum,” she said With a smile as she greeted her guests She got up to reach for her tea set Offering the warmest of hospitality As she sat to get the tea ready Her warmness filled the room With her colorful Melfaha and hands dipped in henna She is the leader of them all The beauty of beauty She represents the strength of every Saharawi woman She is the mother of the nation who’s history She has engraved in her heart As she got ready for the sacred tea ceremony She turned to her guests with the following question; “Do you know the meaning of each round of tea?” They responded, “No, but please enlighten us with your wisdom.” She took the first small glass and filled it with black tea leaves, and then responded with seriousness, “The first round is bitter like life. When that bitterness hits us we must search for courage and strength, so we can overcome each obstacle with grace.”