ABSTRACT
The chewing of the leaves and young shoots of the shrub Catha edulis (Qat or Khat, known in Ethiopia as tchat ) is widespread in parts of central and eastern Ethiopia, particularly among the Gurage of the Shoa region and the Qotu (Oromo) and Adare of the Harrar region. In Ethiopia, it is said that the spread of tchat was at first heavily and jealously guarded by the Muslims. The material presented was gained during a longitudinal study of infant health and growth in urban low-income households in Ethiopia. Early on in this research, one of the mothers visited explained that she was preparing to host a tchat -chewing ceremony. This was going to be attended by a couple of her friends from the neighbourhood. Tchat-chewing commenced when everyone had arrived and settled down on the mats. The women helped themselves to the bunch of tchat leaves that had been placed in the middle.
