"For a long period of time the profession of the musician, regardless whether traditional and modern, was despised and disregarded in Ethiopia. It was a common practice to call this group of the society azmari, a generic appellation that...
more"For a long period of time the profession of the musician, regardless whether traditional and modern, was despised and disregarded in Ethiopia. It was a common practice to call this group of the society azmari, a generic appellation that was treated as an insult. Although musicians/azmaris have a relatively better status today (primarily in urban areas, the term and the profession still remains to have a negative connotation to some extent. Azmaris, since time immemorial, have served as masters of entertainment in the first place, but they have also played interrelated multiple roles, among others, as news forecasters, chroniclers, political commentators, agitators, generally as the voice of their society articulating the reality from all possible dimensions. Hence, their artistic profession constantly allowed them to express their internal feelings and emotions through songs comprising poetic lyrics reflecting all imaginable social, cultural, political and historical themes. The extraordinary talent of many azmaris to invent spontaneous lyrics on the spot and their ability to win the attention of listeners while simultaneously entertaining them are one of the common practices.
My paper will discuss the status of the azmari in past and present day Ethiopia. In doing so, the life, the artistic contribution and the legacy of veteran traditional musicians will be discussed. Particular emphasis will, however, be given to female artists who took full control of their artistic career seizing the opportunity to promote themselves. Besides all hardship they faced in a strong patriarchal societey, they stood by their profession and made a difference breaking all taboos and permanent inacceptance. One of these outstanding female artists is Asnaketch Worku who lived and worked at a time when musicians were neglected and deprived of moral and financial support and especially female musicians were additionally regarded as vulgar or bad-mannered, despite their relentless effort to entertain their audience in the same manner like their male counterparts. It was through all these inconveniences that Asnaketch managed to produce her timeless works of music we can never get enough of listening to date. She always created convenience through her accomplishments, hence, contributing her part towards the sustainability of the traditional music in Ethiopia. This paper will take a closer look at selected songs of Asnaketch expressing her feelings through her lyrics narrating about love, life, nostalgia, sadness and happiness. Her pleasant, endearing, sweet and pure voice that is accompanied by her unique style of lyre (krar) playing as well as her exclusive style of singing that lifts-up her admirers to another dimension of sight, sound and mind. This remarkable artist deserves the highest reverence and a special credit.
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