Ethiopian Music is For Everybody!

Many people equal Ethiopian music with Tilahun Gessesse. This they did even before he died, imagine now! His fame was on top already in the 1960s, and that's when he got the nickname "The Voice". He sang in order to raise money for aid during different famines, and the people loved him. When he died in Ethiopia, after returning from America, he was honored with a state funeral where tens of thousands attended.

Tizita means memory, remembering, calling to mind. It is one of the most nostalgic tunes you can ever hear. Even without understanding a word, you will think about your country, your mother and your life! This one is sung by Kuku Sebsibe, a famous artist.

No, it is not the name of a city. It is the name of the main Ethiopian dance. A shaking of the shoulders like a butterfly. Looks easy, is not! But even children can learn it, so why not give it a try?

This is a one-string instrument that is played with the help of a bow.

Kirar is a five- or six-string instrument, played without a bow. The fingers are put behind the strings to change the notes.

Most people know of the horrible famine in Ethiopia in 1984-5. The international community did a lot to alleviate the suffering of the Ethiopian people. To say Thank you! to the world, the Ethiopian government sent a 54 person strong ensemble of standout Ethiopian musicians and performers, starting in March of 1987 on a whirlwind tour of 60 cities around the world in 118 days.
The first part of the performance was presented as a musical, a love story that went through all of the provinces of Ethiopia, showing their distinct dress and dance. The second part was individual performances and jokes.
Ethiopians in the Diaspora were crying openly in the audience as they longed for their country. At the time there was an oppressive military regime in Ethiopia, and few had hopes of returning in a near future.
For many Ethiopians, this was a means of putting the famine behind them and look to the future.