| Ethiopia has a very rich and diverse music history. | | | | derived from the Geez word Zemmari, which means |
| The various tribes and ethnic groups of Ethiopia have | | | | “one who sings”. Today, the concept |
| their own distinct music culture and tradition. The | | | | mainly applies to establishments where professional |
| Tigrayans to the north have this smooth, circular | | | | masinqo players and the female singers that |
| dance routine culminated with shoulder and neck | | | | accompany them play. |
| movement. The Amharas at the center have dance | | | | When it comes to Azmari performances, lyrics can |
| style dominated by upper body and neck movement. | | | | be largely improvised or sung with the art of double |
| The Oromos to the center and south have this | | | | meaning called Kinie or Semmna Werq (meaning, the |
| jumping style and full body dance routine. The | | | | literal and the hidden messages). The audience is not |
| Gurages have an acrobatic dance that requires high | | | | supposed to take the lyrics literally – they are |
| level of arm, leg and body coordination. | | | | challenged to listen carefully to get the |
| Traditional Ethiopian music instruments include the | | | | “golden” sense. The Azmaris may praise |
| masingo, a one-stringed violin like instrument that is | | | | individuals in the audience through their songs to uplift |
| played with a bow; the krar, a six-stringed lyre, | | | | their mood. This favor in Ethiopian culture is usually |
| played with fingers or a plectrum; the washint, a flute | | | | responded in kind by awarding the performer cash |
| made from bamboo; and various drums. There are | | | | – by pasting a bill on the forehead, or stashing |
| three types of drums that are used in different | | | | it in the performer’s shirt. |
| occasions: the negarit (kettledrum), played with | | | | Azmaris also accept verses thrown at them by |
| sticks, the kebero, played with hands, and the | | | | members of the audience and skillfully incorporate |
| atamo, tapped with the fingers or palm. Other | | | | them into their music. In traditional Ethiopian music |
| instruments include the begena, a huge, multi-stringed | | | | and Ethiopian culture, the skill at improvisation by the |
| lyre often referred to as the Harp of David; the | | | | Azmari is as important as his/her vocal performance, |
| tsinatsil or sistrum, which is used in churches; the | | | | or his/her skill at playing the masinqo. With such |
| meleket, a long trumpet without fingerholes, and the | | | | improvised lyrics, one may appreciate, denounce, |
| embilta, a large, one-note flute used on ceremonial | | | | advice, teach, entertain, and much more. |
| occasions. | | | | In recent years, Azmari Ethiopian music performances |
| In addition to the above traditional music instruments, | | | | have even spread to other parts of the world |
| Ethiopian music also includes various types of modern | | | | outside Ethiopia. One can find “Azmari |
| music instruments that are used by bands playing | | | | Betoch” in some parts of Europe and North |
| Ethiopian jazz, pop, and the like. Modern Ethiopian | | | | America where there are significant pockets of |
| music instruments include the guitar, percussion, violin, | | | | Ethiopian immigrants residing, including in cities such as |
| saxophone, mandolin, clarinet, accordion, etc. | | | | Washington DC and Los Angeles in the USA, and |
| The masinqo is one of the most popular traditional | | | | London in UK. Although these establishments are not |
| Ethiopian music instruments used throughout Ethiopia. | | | | exactly the traditional Ethiopian “Azmari |
| It is one of the fixtures in Ethiopian culture. Although | | | | Bet” variety, they offer many of the services |
| it looks simple, the masinqo can, in the hands of an | | | | their counterparts in Ethiopia provide, including music |
| expert musician, produces a wide variety of melodies. | | | | using the masinqo. |
| It is often played by wandering minstrels as well as | | | | Resources: |
| professional musicians, particularly at eating houses | | | | For more on Ethiopian Music and Ethiopian Culture |
| and local bars called “Bunna Bet” or | | | | please visit Ezega Community. |
| “Azmari Bet”. The word Azmari is | | | | |