Adbar Spirits
Adbar are ancient guardian spirits in Ethiopian folk belief who inhabit every mountain, river, forest, crossroads, and natural feature of the landscape. These pre-human spirits serve as intermediaries between God (Egziabher) and the natural world, each with a specific territory and responsibility. Some Adbar protect travelers on dangerous roads, others guard the fertility of farmlands, and still others watch over water sources and springs. Before a journey or harvest, Ethiopians traditionally offer coffee beans, incense, or bread to the local Adbar, asking for safe passage or bountiful yield.