The Ghanaian photographer presents the tradition as a powerful cultural experience that fosters community and friendship.
Ataya is a traditional West African tea ceremony rooted in friendship and community. The ritual involves brewing green tea with sugar before sharing it out in three rounds – each progressively sweeter than the last to symbolise the flow of life and value of patience.
Elroy Salam’s first memories of Ataya are as far back as when he was around five years old. “My uncle was very fond of me, and would take me everywhere he went,” the photographer recalls. In their neighbourhood in Accra, there was a special spot where men gathered everyday around sunset to brew tea…
