One Last Music Culture

                                                               The Land Of Ethiopia 

 I will be doing my last blog on the Music and Culture on Ethiopia, a country in Eastern Africa. I chose Ethiopia because one of my favorite influencers is from here and the way he talks about his culture has always interested me. So today I will be taking a chance to talk about and go further in depth on the culture and its Music. Ethiopia, a country with a long history and a diverse geography, has a dynamic and diverse cultural structure that reflects the diversity of its people. Ethiopians are united by their music, which is a pleasant journey through time that captures the strength and depth of the country's culture. We dive into the fascinating world of Ethiopian music in this blog and look at its intricate relationship to the diverse culture of the nation. The history of Ethiopian music dates back thousands of years. Many people believe that the ancient Kingdom of "Aksum", which existed in the first century AD, is the birthplace of Ethiopian civilization. A center of trade and cultural interchange, the ancient city of "Aksum", now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, had an impact on the later development of regional music. Many different traditional instruments add to the variety of Ethiopian music. Instruments that have been handed down through the years include the "masenqo," a single-stringed bowed lute, and the "krar," a string instrument resembling a lyre. The usage of these instruments gives Ethiopian music a distinctive sound that sets it apart from other African musical traditions. Religion has had a significant influence on Ethiopian music. One of the world's oldest Christian churches, "the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church", has greatly influenced the nation's musical traditions. Ethiopian music is deeply rooted in religious chants, or "Zema," which have hypnotic rhythms and spiritual overtones. Ethiopia's music and culture are deeply linked together by the numerous ethnic groups that make up the country. Every region has its own distinctive dances and music genres that are a reflection of the people's own customs and history. Ethiopian music is made up of various ethnic groups, including Amhara, Oromo, Tigray, and others, with a melody for every cultural detail. Ethiopian music has evolved despite its historical roots. Artists of the modern era have embraced worldwide influences, mixing traditional sounds with modern styles like hip-hop, reggae, and jazz. This combination of styles ensures Ethiopian music's ongoing relevance in a changing world by showing its versatility and acting as a bridge between generations. Ethiopian music is a window showing the nation's soul, not just a form of artistic expression. It is a successful tool for maintaining cultural identity and encouraging unity among the various ethnic groups that make Ethiopia. Music has been a constant through the highs and lows of the country's history, offering inspiration, reassurance, and a sense of common identity. Ethiopian customs are deeply rooted in the country's rich history just like its music, diverse ethnic groups, and unique cultural heritage. Ethiopian principles, beliefs, and identity are reflected in traditional dress, ceremonies, and rituals. Here are some of several significant Ethiopian traditions. Their traditional attire. For women the "habesha kemis" or "kaba" is a traditional gown that Ethiopian ladies frequently wear. The dress is long and white, with vibrant stitching around the sleeves and collar. Another scarf used by women is known as a "netela." Males typically dress in "kutas" or "kemis," which are knee-length robes. This is often wore with pants. Men can also wear the "netela" scarf by draping it over their shoulder. Also, jewelry and accessories are very important in Ethiopian culture. Ethiopians wear a variety of jewelry on both their men and women. This includes bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Materials used to make jewelry frequently include gold, silver, beads, and occasionally even natural elements such as jewels and stones. There's a Coffee Ceremony in Ethiopia aswell. An important cultural custom is the Ethiopian coffee ritual. Ethiopian culture is deeply rooted in coffee, and the coffee ceremony is a representation of welcome. Green coffee beans must be roasted, ground, and then brewed in a particular pot. The ceremony is a gathering place for social interactions. Ethiopian customs are essentially like a colorful blanket that shows the nation's cultural diversity, determination, and strong ties to its past. Ethiopians get their identity from these rituals, which also add to the lively and exciting cultural environment of the nation. These were only a few of the Ethiopian customs that i listed but there are many more. A very famous person of Ethiopia is Bikila Abebe.  Legendary marathon runner Abebe Bikila won the gold medal in barefoot running at the Olympics in Rome in 1960. At the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, he replicated his success and became the first person to win gold medals in the Olympic marathon twice in a row. Coming from a track background i was somewhat familiar with his feats even before research but what he did for himself and his nation is still incredible. The other famous figure from Ethiopia is Australopithecus afarensis, aka Lucy. She is sometimes referred to as "the first human" as well. Despite not being a human in the conventional sense, "Lucy" is the name given to a 1974 discovery of a humanoid fossil made in Ethiopia. One of the oldest and most complete hominid fossils yet discovered, Lucy offers crucial information about the evolution of humans. 

This is a example of the Christian music of Ethiopia. this song is called "Salamata"

This is a example of the newer style of Ethiopian Music. With the music video being made in 2017. 

This is another example of the cultures religious chants and dances. 

This is the Ethiopian instrument used in alot of traditional Ethiopian music the masenqo 

This is a women wearing the traditional clothing. This is called a habesha kemis like i stated earlier in my blog. 

This is Abebe Bikila, the legendary Marathon Runner from Ethiopia. 

This is Lucy. The humanoid fossil discovered in Ethiopia in the 1970s. 

Cul

Works Cited

Cultural Atlas. “Ethiopian Culture - Core Concepts.” Cultural Atlas, 2016, culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/ethiopian-culture/ethiopian-culture-core-concepts.

CULTURE - Embassy of Ethiopia. 25 Jan. 2019, ethiopianembassy.org/culture/.

“How Ethiopian Traditions Work.” HowStuffWorks, 25 July 2011, people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/national-traditions/ethiopian-tradition4.htm.

Marcus, Harold G, and Donald Edward Crummey. “Ethiopia - Religion.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia/Religion.