From government offices to roadside stalls, tea from China is at the heart of a slow ritual that provides time to talk and socialise
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenJevans NyabiagePublished: 12:00pm, 20 Aug 2026West Africa has embraced Chinese green tea – from government offices in Mauritania to roadside stalls in Senegal, Mali and Niger, it is at the heart of a tradition that brings people together.The ritual – known as ataya, or attaya in some countries – involves preparing and serving strong, sweet green tea in three rounds, giving family, friends and colleagues the time to talk and socialise.
Chinese tea dominates several markets where ataya is widely consumed.
The tea culture has even made it into a guide for Chinese visitors put out by the embassy in Mauritania. It says Mauritanians traditionally serve tea to guests, a practice known as “three cups of tea upon meeting”.
