Two elders smiling, holding traditional canes
Two elders of the congregation
Selam, friends!

Welcome to the
International Convention
Eternal Happiness 2026

እንቋዕ ብደሓን መጻእኩም Tigrinya እንኳን በደህና መጡ Amharic

It truly is a blessing for Calgary to host this international convention, and we are happy to welcome all of you brothers and sisters from around the world.

This website was created to give you a glimpse into our vibrant congregation and Habesha culture — from traditional attire and the coffee ceremony to shared meals and joyful music and dance. These simple moments reflect the warmth, hospitality, and joy we cherish.

Our congregation is made up of children, young ones, adults, and elderly brothers and sisters who enjoy serving Jehovah together. We hope you feel at home, experience our Christian love, and leave with joyful memories that remind us we truly are one worldwide family.

May this website be a small expression of our heartfelt welcome, and a glimpse into our traditions.

"Look! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." — Psalm 133:1
02 — The Faces Behind It

Us

The people who make this congregation what it is — elders, families, old friends, and the next generation coming up behind them.

Two women standing together in matching white dresses
Three women chatting, one holding a palm branch
A group of women and girls posing together
A group of women sitting together, chatting
Group of women in white habesha dresses seated together, talking
Two young women in embroidered white dresses laughing together
Group of women in white habesha dresses standing together outside a house
Two women in colorful embroidered dresses talking closely
Two men sharing a laugh, one holding a decorated cane
Two men in white habesha clothing smiling together
Two men in white clothing seated, sharing a meal
A couple standing together in front of the basket display
A couple smiling together
A couple smiling warmly together
A couple smiling together outdoors
A couple smiling together by the fence
A couple smiling together outdoors
An elder couple smiling together
Two young girls laughing together
Young girl in a striped dress wearing a cowrie shell necklace
A father and his two children in front of the woven basket display
A woman with two young girls, palm branches in view
A family of four smiling together
A family walking together, swinging a child by the hands
A mother and daughter smiling together
A family of three smiling together by the fence
Mother and daughter holding hands, both in white embroidered dresses
Mother and daughter in matching white embroidered dresses
Woman smiling, holding palm branches with the group
Woman holding up a palm branch, smiling among friends
Portrait of a young woman smiling softly
A woman smiling with her dog
Woman in a woven blue and red embroidered dress smiling
Elder woman sipping a drink
A group of elder women sitting together, chatting
Elder woman in a white shawl with purple woven trim
Guests chatting and sharing food in the afternoon light
Friends chatting together outdoors
Friends holding hands and laughing together
Friends laughing together, close and candid
Two friends sharing a laugh together
Two friends laughing together by the fence
A large group of family and friends posing together
Two women chatting and clapping together
Two women embracing in a joyful hug
Two young girls sitting together, smiling
A young man seated, smiling at the camera
A man smiling, holding a drink and a plate of food
Man wrapped in a white shawl, smiling
A man in a white hat greeting a friend with a fist bump
Elder woman seated, smiling warmly
Portrait of an elder woman in a headscarf
Two elder women sharing a plate of food
Elders chatting together by the fence
Two elder friends smiling together
Elders seated for the coffee ceremony
Elders, seated for buna
03 — Buna

The Coffee Ceremony

A place where time slows down.

In Habesha culture, coffee is more than a drink—it's an invitation to pause, connect, and enjoy one another's company. As the aroma of freshly roasted beans fills the room, conversations grow, friendships deepen, and every guest is welcomed like family.

We invite you to sit with us, share a cup, and experience the warmth of this cherished tradition.

Ceremony setup with incense burner, coffee pot, and woven baskets
Two elder women sharing a laugh during the coffee ceremony
Guests gathered around the coffee ceremony table
Serving a tray of coffee cups
Guests enjoying food beside the coffee set
A woven basket of popcorn being served
Roasting coffee beans over the fire
Elders seated together during the ceremony
Carrying a tray of coffee to guests
Two elders seated by the coffee set
04 — What We Eat

Food, shared from
one plate

Injera, torn by hand and shared from a common mesob, is the center of every gathering — alongside berbere, shiro, and whatever the season brings to the table.

Full platter of injera with an assortment of stews and sides
Guests gathered around the food table
Elders sharing a plate of food together
Woman slicing traditional bread
Serving a plate of injera and stew
Table spread of breads, samosas, and fresh fruit
Bottles of tej, a traditional fermented honey wine
Tej (Amharic) / Mes (Tigrinya) — a fermented honey wine
Injera rolls and utensils set out for serving
06 — Eskista

Habesha dance

Shoulder-dance rhythms, quick footwork, and a circle of friends clapping the beat — dance here isn't a performance, it's how a party actually starts.

Young man laughing, walking with friends
Group clapping and cheering as two dance together
Men dancing with sticks, laughing together
Two men dancing, arms outstretched, crowd cheering
Man adjusting his hat mid-dance
Two men laughing during a dance move
Woman raising a palm branch, smiling
Guests gathered under a raised palm branch
Woman dancing with raised arms, laughing
Three friends laughing together mid-dance
Detail of a woman's hair and henna-painted hand
Friends dancing hand in hand, laughing
Guests dancing with raised arms among the trees
Woman clapping and smiling while dancing
Woman raising palm branches with the group
Woman holding a palm branch, smiling brightly
Two women sharing a quiet moment together
Two friends dancing, one carried on the other's shoulders
07 — Habesha Kemis

What we wear

White cotton, hand-loomed, bordered in a woven tibeb — the pattern along the hem isn't decoration, it's a signature. No two families weave it quite the same.

Woman holding a woven straw hat overhead beside hanging baskets
Detail of two hennaed hands crossed together, with rings and embroidered cuffs
Henna — hand-painted with natural dye in fine, lace-like patterns, worn for weddings and other celebrations
Overhead view of a woman dancing in a white dress with an embroidered scarf
Detail of braided hair and an embroidered shoulder collar
Detail of skirt hems with woven tibeb trim
Woman smiling in a white and red embroidered dress, holding a palm branch
An elder in a white hat greeting others
Detail of a skirt with a woven trim band
Detail of hands holding an embroidered scarf
Detail of a dress with a gold embroidered neckline
Three young women laughing together
Two women in white shawls smiling, holding woven cloth
An elder in a white hat and shawl holding a cane
Bride and groom holding hands, wearing woven habesha clothing sleeves
A man in a white hat and long shirt walking past a fence of hanging baskets
A man in a white shirt and wrapped skirt holding a cane, standing by a decorated fence
Woman in a patterned dress and lace headscarf
08 — Leave a Note

Guestbook

Delegates and visitors — leave a note for our congregation. We'll be reading every one.

Your note will open in your email app, addressed to us — just hit send.

Sample GuestWelcome — can't wait to celebrate with you all!
09 — Did You Know

Fun facts

A few small details about Habesha culture, for anyone new to it this convention week.

i.

Coffee's Birthplace

Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia, long before it spread across the world.

ii.

Handmade, Always

If it's beautiful — clothing, baskets, decor — it's probably handmade.

iii.

One Big Plate

Many hands, one platter — that's how we share a meal.

iv.

Injera Is the Fork

No utensils needed — injera scoops up everything.

v.

Gursha / Kulaso

Feeding someone by hand? That's how we say "I love you."

vi.

Ge'ez Script

An ancient alphabet still alive in Tigrinya and Amharic today.