TRADITIONAL MUSIC FROM ETHIOPIA

TRADITIONAL MUSIC FROM ETHIOPIA

recorded in Ethiopia by Jean L. Jenkins, Horniman Museum, London

 ETHIOPIE MUSIQUE TRADITIONNELLE
Enregistrements de Jean L. Jenkins

disques Vogue, 1967, collection Musée de l'Homme, CLVLX - 164

Jean Jenkins (1922-1990) was an American ethnomusicologist who worked mostly in England. She travelled a lot especially in Ethiopia where she recorded extensively. The music of this LP was recorded in 1964 and 1966. She is known (among other publications) for a very good series called ''The Music of Islam'' with 6 LP made of field recordings in company of Olsen Poul Rovsing and published by Tangent in 1976.
Here we have a good (although partial) image of the musical diversity in Ethiopia. Apart from the people in Center Ethiopia who speak Semitic languages and are the majority of the inhabitants there are many other populations speaking Cushitic languages and other types of languages. Singing is the main way of expression for Christians, Muslims, Jews and Animists. We can hear also the big lyre called bagana (played by King David on the cover), the masinqo and washint. The sanza-like toum is played by the Anouak people near Sudan (track A7). Track A5 is a surprising love song from Harar sung by 2 young girls reminding me of the way some Bulgarian women sing. Jenkins says that this kind of singing is unique to the Adare people. Track B1 is also a surprise with an ensemble of 14 players each of them blowing one tube; that way of playing preceded probably the panpipes played by one musician and is still in use in other countries like Tchad.

After listening to this record I think you would ask for more; so check Topic where you can get CDs with some of Jenkins' work.

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