The Jebena Studio Story
The first-ever pottery workshop for jebenas — the iconic Ethiopian coffee pot.
"Who cares about learning how to make a jebena?"
That's what the woman artisan said — chuckling — when our co-founder Ayda asked if the pottery center in Addis Ababa offered a jebena-making class. Ayda had watched her shape one and asked to learn, quickly discovering it's one of the hardest ceramic pieces to make. It takes real skill, and real patience.
"Well, I do," Ayda replied — not knowing where that answer would take her.
The craft everyone cherished, and no one honored
In Ethiopia, ceramic artisans have historically been undervalued and unfairly stigmatized — even though the jebena is a staple in every habesha household. How could anyone overlook the skill behind such a cherished part of the home?
January 2, 2024 — the world's first jebena-making class
The women at the pottery center trusted us and gave it a shot. It wasn't just a class — it was an experience, complete with a tour, a buna ceremony, and sounds courtesy of Gigi. The Jebena Studio Experience was born. And from day one, our women artisan instructors were paid a living wage — more than three times their existing wages.
People poured into the workshops. They embraced the art, elevated respect for the craft, and debunked the myths. Then the DMs started: "When is the jebena class coming to DC?" "How about LA?" "We need this in New York!"
Bringing it stateside
Making a jebena is hard. Teaching it is even harder. We spent over 12 weeks developing simplified techniques that make the art of jebena making accessible to everyone — and since June 2024, the studio has reached LA, the DMV, New York, Toronto and beyond, with a Kids Edition welcoming the next generation of jebena makers.
Today, more than 700 jebenas have been made worldwide — on campuses like Harvard, Yale, Howard and Montgomery County, with corporate teams, and in rooms where people of all walks of life come together for community healing over clay and buna.
The goal hasn't changed
We want to elevate the beautiful art of jebena making — and the women artisans who birthed it. That mission continues through Jebena Dreams, our project supporting the women potters of Addis Ababa.