🧉 Sip, share, and slow down.
Makani Maté Lounge is a monthly community ritual inspired by the deep-rooted tradition of drinking maté — a cherished symbol of connection, hospitality, and intergenerational bonding across the Levant. At Makani, we’re reimagining this practice as a space for belonging, reflection, and shared joy.
Once a month, we gather around steaming gourds of maté, in no rush to be anywhere else. We talk. We laugh. We share stories. We sometimes sit in silence, too. There is no agenda. Just the gentle power of presence, held together in community.
What is Maté?
Maté (pronounced ma-tteh) is a traditional herbal infusion made from the dried leaves of the yerba maté plant, native to South America. Introduced to the Levant by Syrian and Lebanese migrants returning from Argentina and surrounding countries in the early 20th century, maté quickly became more than a drink — it became a cultural ritual.
Today, it’s a familiar sight in Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Kurdish homes: a circle of friends or family, holding the maté cups, one sip at a time. The drink itself is bold, earthy, slightly bitter, and packed with antioxidants — but it’s the practice of sharing it that nourishes the soul.
A Ritual of Togetherness
At the heart of maté is connection. Traditionally, one person (the cebador) prepares and refills the drink, passing it in turn to others in the group. The rhythm is slow, communal, and intentional. Historically, everyone drank from the same cup using a metal straw (bombilla or massasa in Arabic), symbolising trust and shared experience. In today’s world, it’s usually enjoyed in individual cups and straws but the togetherness of the ritual remain.
In the Levant, maté became a sacred pause in the day — a time to gather, reflect, and just be. A shared maté is a way of saying: you are welcome here.
What Happens at the Maté Lounge?
- We serve traditional maté (with optional flavours and herbal blends)
- We sit in a circle — no hierarchy, no pressure
- We talk about life — the light, the heavy, and everything in between
- We slow down — no need to rush or fix
- We build community — one conversation at a time
You don’t need to know anyone, or anything about maté, to join. Just come as you are. We’ll guide you through the ritual if it’s your first time, and we’ll share the drink — and the moment — together.
Why Maté?
- Cultural Roots
We honour diasporic traditions that nourish connection across generations and geographies. - Wellbeing Through Ritual
Drinking maté together slows the nervous system and makes space for calm, joy, and presence. - Collective Care
In a world that rushes us, Maté Lounge invites us to pause — gently, together. - Everyone is Welcome
We are intergenerational, multicultural, multifaith, multilingual — and united in our desire to build spaces that feel like home.
Health Benefits of Yerba Maté
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Yerba maté contains high levels of antioxidants — even more than green tea. These include polyphenols, saponins, and chlorogenic acid, which help fight inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and support overall immune health.
2. Natural Energy Without Jitters
Maté contains caffeine (less than coffee, more than tea), but it’s often described as offering a “clean” alertness — mental clarity without the anxiety or crash that can follow coffee. That’s why some people with ADHD find it supportive for focus and sustained attention.
3. Supports Mental Focus and Mood
Alongside caffeine, yerba maté contains compounds like theobromine and theophylline, which work synergistically to enhance cognition, improve mood, and promote gentle stimulation of the nervous system.
4. Aids Digestion
Traditionally, maté has been used after meals to support digestion and ease bloating. The bitter compounds stimulate bile flow and promote gut motility.
5. Heart and Metabolic Health
Preliminary studies show maté may help lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and support cardiovascular function over time — especially when consumed regularly as part of a balanced lifestyle.
6. Regulates Appetite
Some drinkers report a reduction in sugar cravings and better appetite regulation, thanks to its mild stimulant effects and influence on blood glucose levels.
☀️ A Note on Ritual as Healing
Beyond the chemical benefits, it’s important to remember the ritual itself is healing:
- Slowing down supports the nervous system.
- Sharing a cup nurtures connection and belonging.
- Returning to rhythm — of breath, of sips, of conversation — helps regulate our inner world.
🗓️ Join the Circle
🕒 When: Last Saturday of every month, 1:30–3:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free — just bring your open heart and curious spirit
🧉 Book your place on eventbrite
Whether you’ve grown up with maté, or have never heard of it, there’s a place for you here.
Come warm your hands, open your heart, and be part of a community that heals by sitting together, one sip at a time.
Makani Maté Lounge — where stories steep, and community grows.