Mizan Teferi is a town in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia, in eastern Africa. It is best known as a centre of coffee production and honey, and as a meeting point for the Bench and Sheko cultures of the surrounding area. The town is also known by the name Mizan Aman.
What the town is known for
- Coffee: the area is associated with coffee production, and a visit can be a way to see the crop within the landscape it grows in.
- Honey: local honey is part of the town's identity and a natural thing to look for at markets and in local shops.
- Bench and Sheko cultures: the town is a centre for these two peoples, so visitors interested in the cultural life of southwestern Ethiopia will find it a useful place to learn about them.
Planning a visit
Mizan Teferi suits travellers who want to step away from the main tourist circuit and see everyday life in a regional Ethiopian town. Coffee and honey make good themes for the trip, and the cultural presence of the Bench and Sheko peoples gives the visit depth. Because the town sits in a region with its own languages and customs, it helps to go with an open mind, ask before taking photographs of people, and arrange transport and accommodation in advance. Visitors should check current travel conditions for the region before they set out.