ADDIS ABABA– The government and pertinent bodies have to put on efforts to make the playing of Ethiopian lyre Begena one of the country’s tourist attraction, said Begena teachers.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald Diacon Mikael Hirpo, who is Begena Teacher at Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church (EOTC), Mahibere Kidusan School; said tourists from various countries are showing keen interesting in Begena nowadays and want to know about it curiously. Hence, he called on his colleagues and concerned bodies to work together to satisfy the tourists’ quench of thirst to this regard.
Now Begena is becoming one of the tourist attractions during Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) and Epiphany festivities in Ethiopia, as to him.
Responding to question why people prefer playing Begena during fasting periods, he said the instrument has the power to take the whole spirit of person to God’s mystery and world of spiritual life.
As to him, Begena is called harp in English. However, Mikael said that Harp has difference from Begena, in that it has more than 10 strings. Plus, he noted that the two instruments have observable difference in their behavior and sounds.
Begena, particularly the Ethiopian one is completely traditional in materials it is made from and also in its way of teaching, learning and playing, he indicated.
Another Begena player from the some institution, Emebet Kuraze said though Begena could be played throughout year in Ethiopia, but people prefer to play and listen it during fasting season in remembrance of fasting of Jesus Christ.
She further said this is because of two reasons, Begena has highly spiritual and meditative behavior during fasting periods for prayer and praise and the second reason goes to historical familiarization of radio programs, which the church had during the last king of Ethiopia.
She also said: “Nowadays youth of both sexes are highly interested to learn Begena and there are thousands of people now playing and learning the instrument.”
The Ethiopian Herald May 7/2019
BY YOSEF KETEMA
