Ethiopia’s music is shaped by distinctive modal systems, many regional traditions, and a celebrated modern popular-music history. These examples connect a traditional performance with two internationally recognized figures: Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke and singer Mahmoud Ahmed.
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.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Ethiopia” article.
Mulatu Astatke’s “Tezeta” represents Ethio-jazz and its distinctive meeting of Ethiopian modes with jazz instrumentation.
Mahmoud Ahmed is one of the defining voices of Ethiopia’s modern popular-music era.
This traditional performance provides a cultural counterpoint to the two modern artists.