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NTS Guide to: Modern Ethiopian Orthodox Begena
NTS Guide to: Modern Ethiopian Orthodox Begena
05 Nov 2025 · London

NTS Guide to: Modern Ethiopian Orthodox Begena

The begena is a sacred Ethiopian instrument: a ten string lyre, commonly known as the "Harp of David' and central to spiritual music. The deep, devotional tone is most often played unmetered, inspiring its listeners with thoughts of repentance.

This episode of The NTS Guide To offers a glimpse into a droning, introspective strain of Ethiopian religious music, as you may hear on the streets of Addis Ababa during Lent.

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Tracklist

  • Ante Yalkew Yihun
    (Unknown Title)
  • Zamari Gebre Yohannis G Tsadik
    በሚፈርደው ፈረዱበት
  • Kedametsega Yohanes Begena
    Autotune Be… Ethiopia
  • Bemekera Lale
    (Unknown Title)
  • Mahibere Kidusan
    (Unknown Title)
  • Zemari Deacon Muluken Kebede
    Aresawm (Lezelalem…)
  • ዘማሪት ፋሲካ መኮንን
    መርዓዊ ሰማያዊ መድኃኔዓለም የሰማይ ሙሽራ
  • ዘማሪ ገብረዮሐንስ ገብረፃድቅ
    ቅዱስ ሚካኤል (Beta Qene)