Culture of Ethiopia - Music

Music

The music of Ethiopia is extremely diverse, with each of Ethiopia's ethnic groups being associated with unique sounds. Some forms of traditional music are strongly influenced by folk music from elsewhere in the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia. However, Ethiopian religious music also has an ancient Christian element, traced to Yared, who lived during the reign of Gabra Masqal. In northeastern Ethiopia, in Wollo, a Muslim musical form called manzuma developed. Sung in Amharic, manzuma has spread to Harar and Jimma, where it is now sung in the Oromo language. In the Ethiopian Highlands, traditional secular music is played by itinerant musicians called azmaris, who are regarded with both suspicion and respect in Ethiopian society.

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Famous quotes containing the word music:

    “Nearly all the bands are mustered out of service; ours therefore is a novelty. We marched a few miles yesterday on a road where troops have not before marched. It was funny to see the children. I saw our boys running after the music in many a group of clean, bright-looking, excited little fellows.”
    —Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)

    “If you really believe music is dangerous, you should let it go in one ear and out the other.”
    —José Bergamín (1895–1983)

    “A man in all the world’s new fashion planted,
    That hath a mint of phrases in his brain.
    One who the music of his own vain tongue
    Doth ravish like enchanting harmony.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)