Ethiopian Music

Ethiopian music is one of the most unique kinds of music on the African continent.   Ethiopian music is very diverse and each ethnic group (Amhara, Oromo...) has their own styles.  Most people would expect the music to be heavy on drums but for the most part they are largely absent.Zeritu Kebede
  There is mainly a use of stringed and woodwind instruments but in recent years there has been more use of electronic music.  In the Ingurguro style, singers employ a unique kind of trilling and undulating of their voices and female vocalists often sing in high pitched falsettos.  The Zefen style, which is more relaxed, is accompanied by the Iskita, one of Ethiopia's most famous dances.
 Tigist Fantahun
 There are also great styles other than traditional Folk ,like Religious and a more westernized Contemporary style that is popular with younger generations.  Ethiopia has some of the greatest RnB and Hip Hop artists in Africa.  Zeritu Kebede sings mostly westernized pop and RnB.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYcRC9Ang8E  With such a powerful and soulful voice, I liken her to an "Ethiopian Mariah Carey."  Another young female singer I am a fan of is Tigist Fantahun who also sings RnB, pop, and traditional songs.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx6qv4ziO7k  She has a softerAbinet Agonafir
 voice, but also a lot of range.  Great male singers are Abinet Agonafirhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQcH_euSf5E and Tewodros (Teddy Afro) Kassahun.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xMk6rQUDp4 I also enjoy the music of rappers like Jonny Raggahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci7AX0rgqqw and Hailemichael (Haile roots) Getnet.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7D39NQR-Ys  These Haile Roots
artists use a lot of Reggae influences in their music.  This is not very surprising since the Rastafari, who initially formed in Jamaica, believe that Ethiopia is the Promised Land.
 Jonny Ragga
 This is due to the fact that Ethiopia is the only African country that was not colonized and in part because of the rich heritage and ancient kingdoms which are even mentioned in the Bible.  Ethiopia is called by many scientists and other scholars as the "Cradle of Civilization", where our first human
 Teddy Afro
ancestors came from.  Rastas also believe that the former King of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, was an reincarnation of Jesus Christ which further explains the Rastafari/Ethiopia connection.  More on the Rastafari and Ethiopa: Travel Destination in later posts...  :)