Azmari

An azmari is an instrumentalist whose job is to entertain others by playing masenqo, especially found in entertainment venues, traditional hotels in Ethiopian community. It is comparable to the European bard or the West African griot.[1] Azmari, who may be either male or female, are skilled at singing extemporized verses, accompanying themselves on either a masenqo (one-stringed fiddle) or krar (lyre). Azmaris often perform in drinking establishments called tejbeit, which specialize in the serving of tej (mead). The Azmari introduced the popular Tizita ballad form.[2]

Azmari playing masenqo in a tejbeit, Lalibela, northern Ethiopia