Eating a meal with one's right hand is cultural in many countries. During our weeks in Ethiopia
this summer we ate traditional Ethiopian food many times. When we lived in West Africa
and ate with our hands (usually when eating a traditional meal with friends)
a bowl of water was passed around before and after the meal to wash our hand.
I was surprised in Ethiopia to find so many washing up sinks in restaurants, out in plain view,
separate from the rest of a rest room. They were serious about eating with clean hands!
We ate dinner out at several cultural places where the food was delicious, the women who served were dressed in traditional dress, and we were entertained with music and traditional dancing. The servers came to our tables graciously with this beautiful pitcher and bowl so we could wash after the meal.
This has become one of my favorite photos of our trip!
I, too, like the pitcher and bowl. We went to an Ethiopian restaurant many year's ago. I recall scooping food up with a flat bread. I also recall that it was delicious.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Oh Podso! How very wonderful your trip must have been.Smiles, Dottie
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, words and photos.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up my mother would prepare traditional Lebanese food for special occasions and we knew there'd be no knives and forks on the table - everything was eaten with the flat bread.
That IS a beautiful photo, full of grace.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! What wonderful experiences you have to share.
ReplyDeleteNow this is a new concept for me. Do any restaurants give in to cutlery? I would probably lose weight otherwise as the thought of eating that way would be a challenge, unless it was what I traditionally think of as finger food. I'm so not good with the "when in Rome..."
ReplyDeleteIt is a great photo! Reminds me of a painting done of foot washing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read of the customs of another country. I've not had the experience of eating a meal with my hands but am glad that hand washing is an important part of it. Of course my daughter the nurse wouldn't approve as there was no mention of soap.
ReplyDeleteJudith
I didn't know anything about this - so interesting. I'm with you and the last photo - perfect!
ReplyDeleteLeann
I like the last photo too and the food looked good!
ReplyDeletelovely post and photos.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful photos... and, I agree... that last one is pure grace and beauty. Thank you for sharing about these special mealtimes on your trip. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI have been away too long but loved catching up on your wonderful blog entries and hope to go back even further. Glad to hear that you had such a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. I think I'd find it very difficult to eat with my hands. I watch our 1 year old grandson eat with his hands and it looks so simple but so messy. Our almost 3 year old grand used a combination of hands and utensil. He's managing a fork and spoon very well now. I guess we need to 'relax' more. I also like your last photo. The simple gesture of washing ones hands from a pitcher is so beautiful.
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteWe do a ceremonial "washing of the hands" during Holy Week in our Congregation.
Your photo reminds me of that practice!!!
Thank you for sharing this cultural experience with us!!!I, too, love the "washing up" photo!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Mmm, the food looks delicious! It's nice to see some of your photos of Ethiopia.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Cindy
Oh my gosh I loved your pictures, it does look a little about lebenese type food, I loved how you captured everything in the photos...come on over for a visit, I want you to see my jungle...Phyllis
ReplyDeleteI dined in a Moroccan restaurant in Wash DC where we ate with our hands. It was quite an experience!
ReplyDelete