Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, holding their audience ...

Biruktawit Tasew’s fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, holding their audience ...

According to the sacred book of bible, 1 Samuel 16:23 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David now stand before me, for he has found favour in my sight." So it came about whenever the evil spirit from ...

Alemu Aga is an Ethiopian musician, singer, and master of 'begena'. This multi-secular ten-stringed lyre has a special place for the Orthodox Christian Amharas, who live in the capital Addis Ababa.

Students of Eman Begena School sing songs as they carry their begenas on a taxi bus heading to perform at a begena therapy session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo: AFP Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide ...

Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, holding their audience ...

In the past, most Ethiopians were acquainted with the begena as a traditional musical instrument during the time of Lent, when it was constantly played over the radio, particularly during the reigns ...

This is an unusual one by any stretch of even the most vivid imagination but bear with me. This music has roots as ancient as the depths of its magic. Noise levels are low on this one. There’s a quiet ...

One of the country's oldest instruments, the begena was once reserved for the elite -- and effectively banned during the Marxist Derg regime between 1974 and 1991. Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide ...