A ritual is a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of actions performed according to a prescribed order. Rituals are usually studied and approached from the perspective of religion, mythology, and/or the sacred, and less explored and studied in the normal modern everyday life. Still, unconsciously or consciously we all have certain routines and habits in our life, from brushing our teeth to coffee in the morning. How then, can we use those “ordinary” habits, and transform them into rituals - something more sacred, ceremonial, and meaningful, that in turn will help us to live a more mindful and greater life? With this gathering we hoped to provide our guests with the means to establish their own answer to this question. For this edition we aimed to introduce the concept of rituals - within the scope of what they are in relation to food, people, and around the table. 

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Ritual is action frequently repeated, in a form largely laid down in advance; it aims to get those actions right. Everyone present knows what should happen, and notices when it does not. Dinner too is habitual, and aims at order and communication, at satisfying both the appetite of the diners and their expectations as to how everyone present should behave. In this sense, a meal can be thought of as a ritual and a work of art, with limits laid down, desires aroused and fulfilled, enticements, variety, patterning and plot. As a work of art, not only in the overall form but also the details matter intensely.

- Visser, 1993

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BUNNA MUFFRATE FOR No. 7 RITUALS 

Drinking coffee is a mundane habit in today’s western society. However, when done with intention and presence, it can be transformed into a ritual. We wanted to emphasize the difference between habits and rituals by partaking in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. 

Ethiopia, known as the birthplace of cofee, is famous for “bunna maffrate”, a coffee making ceremony. “Bunna” means coffee and “maffrate” means ceremony. This sacred ceremony is conducted not only to welcome special guests but also when a natural disaster or conflict arises. There are typically three servings, each cup of coffee said to transform the spirit. 

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Special thanks to 

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TRADITIONAL TEA CEREMONY FOR No. 7 RITUALS AT SAINTE ANNE GALLERY PARIS 

For edition No. 7 we gathered around the table in two places - in Amsterdam, and simultaneously in Paris at the beautiful Sainte Anne Gallery. Bruno Sitton guided us through a traditional ritualistic tea ceremony, where we collectively drank tea in silence and meditative state. Drinking tea is one of the most simple and humble acts. Yet, when you simply add ceremonial patterns and consciousness to it, it can become a sacred moment - an extraordinary event, a ritual. 

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AFTERNOON GOÛTER FOR No. 7 RITUALS AT SAINTE ANNE GALLERY PARIS 

Monika (@cuhnja) provided us with an afternoon goûter - “v. to taste, n. a light meal in the afternoon.” For French children and adults alike, having a goûter is an institution, something to be adhered to religiously - a true snacking ritual. Around 4:30pm, they sit down obediently at their table awaiting un petite quelque chose (a little something).