Mihbaj

The Mihbaj (Arabic مهناج )

Is used in Arabic and Bedouin culture as a coffee grinder, and also a musical instrument.
The wooden base acts like a mortar and the foot long pestle is used to grind roasted coffee beans.


Nawal al Zoghbi, the Lebanese singer recorded a song about the Mihbaj.

'Hit the Mehbaj' ( Arabic Deg El Mehbaj )



نوال الزغبي - دقوا المهابيج

دق المهباج (يا حمايد)
نار الدلة (شعّالة)
من درب الضيف (لا تحيد)
مرت على الحي خيالة

دق المهباج واسقيني وزيد الجمرة
يا قهوة من طعمها سنيني زايد مرة
وعطر هاليل من عطر الهيل
ولاقي هالخيل يا حمايد واسقي رجالها
من درب الضيف لا تحيد
مرت على الحي خيالة

دق المهباج وخبرني ولفي معاهم
يا حمايد حاج تقهرني روح القاهم
ومحبوبي الزين مارق من هين
رح تبكي العين يا حمايد من هالحالة
من درب الضيف لا تحيد
مرت على الحي خيالة


Nawal al-Zoghbi - Hit the Coffee Grinder

Hit the mihbaj, Hamayed
Light the fire of the coffee pot
Don't shy away from the path of the guests
A horse has come to the village
Hit the mihbaj, give me some drink, and add coal
Oh coffee that's taste has made my years more bitter
Perfume the night with the scent of cardamom (Arabic coffee usually has cardamom added)
And meet this horse, Hamayed, and give her men some to drink
Don't shy away from the path of the guests
A horse has come to the village


Hit the mihbaj and tell me if my love is with them
Hamayed, don't oppress me go meet them!
My beautiful love is passing through here
I'm going to cry, Hamayed, from the state I'm in
Don't shy away from the path of the guests
A horse has come to the village