Chadian Tea

After having lived in Chad for about two and a half years, many people have asked me how I like the country.  My standard response, in an attempt to give a concise answer to those not looking for a 30-minute monologue, is two-fold: first I say, “Well, it is very hot.”  Then I say, “I like the tea.”

Ninety percent of the time, these two details are sufficient enough for the person to be satisfied with my answer and move on.  However, this response leaves the other 10 percent left wholly unsatisfied, much like the feeling right after finishing a mini-size cup of Ben & Jerrys (Helpful hint: just buy and eat the pint), sticking around to ask more questions.  You might be wondering how hot it gets.  You might be wondering why I like the tea.  You might be wondering why one drinks boiling tea if the climate is so hot.  For those curious 10 percent, please read on.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in Chad, regardless of ethnicity or region.  The tea, green or red, usually boasts a sugar to tea ratio of about 1:3, meaning it also operates as a nice energy boost during the early afternoon hours when the temperature climbs past 100 degrees F.  It is commonly served in a clear vesicle that looks much like a large shot glass.  These receptacles have no ability to conserve heat or protect your hands from piping-hot liquid, so one must dangle the cup by the rim to avoid burning your fingertips.  To drink liquid at such temperatures, one must take loud, quick sips, creating a symphony of slurps.  Although it is most frequently consumed in the morning, it can, and will, be served at any time throughout the day.  And Chadians drink a lot of it.

Tea, and the process of serving tea, embodies many aspects of Chadian culture.  Serving a glass of tea is a way of welcoming a stranger to your home or village.  It is also a means of enjoying the present moment and the company of those around you – even if a Chadian is in a hurry (which, now that I think about it, is a sight yet to be seen) they are never too rushed to drink a tea.  It is a common occurrence to spot a group of men squatting on the ground or sitting on wooden benches, sipping their tea and taking a break from the activities of the day.

The preparation and serving of tea is most often left to women or girls, who are expected to serve their husband and his guests tea.  In more rural areas, women often bend over or crouch down on the ground as a sign of respect when serving a glass of tea to a guest.  If a group of people is present, the person who is at the “top” of the social hierarchy is usually served first, continuing in order until the last person is served.

Regarding the place of boiling tea in 120-degree heat, to that I have no answer.  I used to hypothesize that perhaps drinking hot beverages would make you sweat and would thus help to cool your body through evaporation.  After testing out this hypothesis, I would attest that this is partially true.  However, perhaps the popularity of hot beverages can be partially attributed to the dearth of cold beverages (Access to cold drinks is limited in most urban areas and nearly impossible to find in rural areas). 

In any case, no matter the temperature, I never refuse an offer of tea.  It is an opportunity to sit and simply be.