In November and December 2024, Accra witnessed two unforgettable gatherings that celebrated the richness of Africa’s herbal heritage and the rising global interest in African wellness. The African Tea Traditions – Herbal Wellness Experience, held at the beautifully curated Talkative Mom Studios, brought together an estimated 150 guests across both events, uniting Ghanaians, expats, and members of the African diaspora who had returned home for the vibrant December holiday season.
Endorsed by the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Office of the President’s Diaspora Affairs under the Beyond the Return initiative, these experiences were more than just seasonal events—they were affirmations of heritage, healing, and homecoming.
A Celebration of African Herbal Identity
Each event was designed to spotlight Africa’s diverse and sacred relationship with herbs and teas, drawing attention to the continent’s longstanding traditions of wellness, nourishment, and communal living. The experience offered guests an immersive look at tea as more than a beverage—it was presented as a cultural symbol, a healing tool, and a thread that connects African communities across borders and generations.
At the heart of the experience was a festively themed herbal wellness workshop, which offered hands-on education in African herbs, plant-based remedies, and the ritual of tea blending. These workshops were tailored to the season, featuring herbs associated with immunity boosting, digestion, and relaxation—ideal for the busy, celebratory December period.
Guests had the opportunity to learn about African botanicals that support immunity, skin health, and hormonal balance, as well as to blend their own custom teas using ingredients sourced from across the continent.
Tasting Africa – 4 Corners Tea Tasting
One of the most memorable elements of the events was the free tea tasting experience, which ran throughout the day and featured curated blends from the four corners of Africa. Each tea station provided a different taste of the continent:
- North Africa: Moroccan green tea with mint—an iconic, refreshing blend known for its digestive properties and cultural significance in hospitality rituals.
- East Africa: Spiced Ethiopian chai—rich with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger offering warmth and stimulation.
- West Africa: Ghanaian herbal blends crafted from lemongrass, moringa, mango leaf, and hibiscus — nourishing teas deeply rooted in local wellness traditions.
- Southern Africa: Naturally caffeine-free South African rooibos, served both hot and iced, and paired with vanilla, citrus, and local fruits to highlight its versatility.
Also available were tea cocktails—non-alcoholic botanical mocktails infused with teas and native herbs—showcasing the modern, culinary potential of African teas.
More Than Tea: A Celebration of Culture
The African Tea Traditions event wasn’t only about what was in the cup—it was also about celebrating African craftsmanship, beauty, and food. Each gathering featured a vibrant market with eight curated vendors, showcasing handmade, ethically produced goods.
From botanical skin and haircare products, to handmade soaps, wooden cookware, and elegant antique homeware, the marketplace brought together artisans and small businesses who champion natural, heritage-based approaches to beauty and lifestyle. Guests also had the opportunity to experience henna body art, connecting them to centuries-old North and West African body adornment traditions.
And, of course, no African celebration is complete without food. The event featured a delicious selection of light bites and traditional dishes—flavourful, nourishing meals that complemented the wellness ethos of the gathering.
A Unique Experience for the Diaspora
The timing of the event—during the peak of Ghana’s December return season—was especially significant. As Accra becomes a key destination for the diaspora during the festive period, the African Tea Traditions event offered a space for diasporans to explore their roots through herbal knowledge, culinary culture, and shared experience.
For many attendees, the experience was deeply personal—an invitation to reconnect with forgotten or untaught traditions, to learn about the plants their ancestors once used, and to rediscover wellness practices that feel both ancient and profoundly relevant.
Clarissa, founder of Aguma Tea, and the visionary behind the event, remarked:
“We created this experience to offer a sense of return—not just physically, but culturally and traditionally. Tea is a simple ritual, but it holds a wealth of wisdom and healing that stretches across our continent that connects and represents the diversity of Africa. I am delighted to have created an event centred around health and wellness in a space that brought people together in a fun and joyful experience rooted in healing.”
Looking Ahead
The success of the 2024 African Tea Traditions – Herbal Wellness Experience was evident in the warm responses from guests, the engagement at each tea and vendor station, and the continued interest in African plant knowledge. With each event attracting an enthusiastic and diverse audience, it’s clear that this is more than a passing trend—it’s part of a growing movement to centre African wellness and heritage within contemporary lifestyle culture.
In response to the overwhelming feedback, the organisers have confirmed that African Tea Traditions will become an annual event, growing in scale and vision each year. Plans are already underway to expand future editions to include tea and herb trails, culinary pairings, and deeper cross-cultural herbal knowledge exchange between Africa and the diaspora.
As herbal wellness continues to gain momentum globally, Ghana is positioning itself as a cultural and educational hub for indigenous healing practices. The African Tea Traditions experience has shown that tea is not just something we drink—it’s something we remember, something we share, and something we return to. And in a season of celebration, it offered the diaspora a taste of home where the focus was not solely on partying, rather it offered a safe space for those on a healing journey and Aguma Tea is honoured to be in a position to play a role in that healing transformation.
