By: Arius of Treve

Ages will pass and still this question will be asked...

"I have been told in a few places that there is a tea ceremony in the Gorean lifestyle. Some have argued saying there is not. Does anyone have information on it?""

In the Gorean novels themselves there is no intricate or ritualized tea service portrayed.

The "Bazi Tea Ceremony" is an Internet creation, likely an "IRCism" and one of many such mythical additions. This is probably due to a blurring of the Japanese ceremonial service of tea, with Gorean custom.

In the books, tea seems to be served much in the same fashion as any other drink - the command is given, and the girl responds appropriately with deferential compliance.

Preparation includes the following, which for the most part is really pretty normal for tea -

The leaves are taken from the box they are stored in, measured out, and steeped in hot water to slowly infuse. The liquid is then poured into a small cup, usually to an amount equaling two ounces, with three such cups commonly being consumed in a sitting. It is drank hot and generously sweetened.

"'Make me tea,' I said.
Lifting her skirt the girl went to the tent to make tea.
...measuring the tea, from a tiny tin box...
'Is it ready?' I asked. I looked at the tiny copper kettle on the small stand. A tiny kaiila-dung fire burned under it. A small, heavy, curved glass was nearby, on a flat box, which would hold some two ounces of the tea. Bazi tea is drunk in tiny glasses, usually three at a time, carefully measured. She did not make herself tea, of course.
She lifted the kettle from the fire and, carefully, poured me a tiny glass of tea."

- TRIBESMEN OF GOR, Pg. 139-141

This is not to say that a slave in the lifestyle could not possibly create her own form of special tea service for her master, if this is something that might please him. The simple fact of him being pleased would be reason and motivation enough for the girl to apply her imagination, instincts, and knowledge of his preferences to the creation of a display he enjoys... and that holds true with anything. Just because something isn't laid out step-by-step in the books, doesn't mean common sense cant be used to create a suitable and pleasing response. For that matter, even in the cases where there are rituals presented, it isn't mandatory that they be followed to the letter. Do what your master finds pleasing. This is a lifestyle, not a re-enactment society.

- Arius of Treve
© 2001 All Rights Reserved