Ethiopia Traditional Musical Instrument

This section of the blog presents a brief  information about the Ethiopian traditional musical instruments including "Kirar", "Begena", "Masinko", "Washint" and "Kebero"

1. Kirar is a five -or-six-stringed bowl-shaped lyre. It is is one of the most popular traditional instruments in Ethipoia.

                                          

                                                Fig. 1. A person playing Kirar

2.  Begena is a large ten-string lyre. It is commonly used in Ethiopian Orthodox church

while  singing a s spiritual song  specially in a fasting season.

                                                    Fig. 2. An old man singing with Begena

3.  Masinko is a a one-string bowed lute. This is commonlyed played in traditional bars and restaurants. The person playing Masinko is usually called Azmari

                                Fig 3. Azmari entertaining people in a traditional bar ("Tej Bet") 

4.  Washint is a bamboo flute that is common in the highlands. In rural areas, it is commont to see a person playing with Washint while taking care of cattles on a field.

                                                     Fig 4. A person playing with Washint

  5. Kebero:  is a double-headed, conical hand drum. A piece of animal hide is stretched over each end, thus forming a membranophone. Almost always a spiritual song in Ethiopoian orthodox church is acompanied by a  liturgical drum. Kebero is alo used in secular celebrations

Fig. People signing with Liturgical drum inside a church (Kebero)

Fig. A woman playing with Kebero