Native trees are a special feature of Marta. Both in Dere Dulata and Marta Gura, public gatherings, cultural events and various ceremonies are held outdoors. Native trees not only provide shade but also serve as beauty to the spaces. Various species of old trees are found in the grounds of the palace. Trees such as Warka, Bassana, Oybeta, Oyera, Tsidna are abundant. Trees are considered sacred by the Zayse community, so cutting them down or damaging them is considered a sin.
The coffee tree is one of the trees in the grounds of Marta. I looked closely at it and it captivated my attention. It took me back in time with a sense of history. I touched it and stared at it. Did the king touch it? What about the queen and the servants of the palace? I asked myself. In front of the king’s residence, called Sanga, are three hundred-year-old coffee trees. From there, the fruit, coffee leaves, and coffee were picked and boiled and drunk in the palace. The house has been demolished and is no longer in place. But the trees have life and have withstood various hardships and still stand in their place today, telling us a story without words.
