Masha in the Kayanza region, Burundi, receives coffee from over 3,200 smallholder farmers, each growing an average of only about 300 coffee trees. For most families, coffee is the primary source of livelihood, and after the harvest between April and June, the beans embark on a long journey through the country’s interior before reaching export.

The name Masha comes from the word amasho – “herds of cattle” in the Kirundi language. The area is known not only for its coffee but also for traditional livestock farming, which has shaped the lives of local communities for centuries. Gihororo Hill, where the station is located, is named after the imihororo trees, from whose fibers local people weave traditional clothing – another testament to the richness of this region.