BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
Ethiopian traditional song singer Maritu Legesse who is known as “Queen of Ambassel” returned back home after 23 years stay in USA.The story of her return has been a major entertainemnt news. She came after enjoying a warm farewell party organized by several fellow singers, artists, and her fans living in USA. Upon her arrival in Addis Ababa, a warm welcoming ceremony greeted herat Bole International airport and later at Ethiopian National Theatre. Government officials specifically Addis Ababa Tourism and culture head Hirut Kassaw (PhD) and others, representatives from Wollo University, artists and her fans have graced the occasion with their presence.
While expressing happiness over the return of this legendry singer, Artist Damte Mekonen from Wollo University Culture Club said Maritu proved an accomplished musican playing all modes or scales of Ethiopian traditional music. “ She laid the foundation for Ethiopian music particularly traditional music. She is a legendry artist with a large contribution to Ethiopian music.”
Singer Elias Tebalal also describes Maritu a big music figure that is born and living for art.
“I know Maritu for more than 40 years. We were together in the prominent Hizb le Hizb (People to People) world tour musical performance along with other Ethiopian music figures such as Bizunesh Bekele, Tilahun Gessese and Mahmoud Ahmed. I know her beginning from that time. I can say she is born for art. In addition to that, her kindness and thoughtfulness attract people.”
Another notable singer Shambel Belayneh remarked Maritu is a gifted singer that can sing in range of genres powerfully and fitting the bill.
“Whenever I listen her musics, some unexplicable feeling gallops my spine from my toes to head. She does all salient Ethiopian music scales that Tizita, Anchewye, Bati and Ambassel .I believe that is a gift from God. She is also kind and sociable.”
Maritu through her decades-long music career is able to win the hearts of many Ethiopians. Neverthless, she couldn’t believe it when many people were present at the welcoming ceremony. “I am happy that I am now in my country. I am so excited, honored and grateful for this warm welcome. I didn’t know that I have this many children (fans).”
Wollo University has awarded her honorary doctorate seven years ago, and now it is in the timetable of Maritu to receive this honorary doctorate now with a special program in Dessie. Afterwards,she will hold concerts in three major towns: Dessie, Gondar and Bahidar. She will also release a new album.
Maritu rose from small village Kedijo, just an hour ride from Dessie town. She is a self-trained musician playing traditional instrument Kirar and sang first in her village. She used to sing in local wedding and other similar occasions. From this small village, she managed to expand her fan-base capturing the interest of Dessie people and immediately controlling the ears of Ethiopians through her captivating music. While in Dessie she trained her husband and they were playing together. Coming to Addis Ababa, she opened Yebahel amba meaning stage of culture. She was among performers in the historic Hizb le hizb/ People –to-People / music exhibition that traveled across the world. The purpose of the troupe was to thank nations that provided assistance during the infamous famine. The exhibition was an opportunity to showcase Ethiopian cultural richness, and musicans like Maritu also seized it to demonstrate their unique talents .
In addition to her music excellence, Maritu was also self-appointed cultural ambassdor to Ethiopia putting on cultural costumes all the time and preaching Ethiopian values. As she stayed 23 years in USA in exile, she was an active member of the diaspora voicing and encouraging Ethiopians to see the path of peace, unity and development. One of her music, “Endaw Zerafewa” which can be roughly translated to “Oh, my brave man” can be taken as an example as she in this music insists Ethiopians to be brave for sustainable peace, dialogue and togetherness. Translation may not give the whole picture and beauty of art product but the following translation of Maritu’s “Endaw Zerafewa” is presented to give a hint to the reader.
Oh my brave man, oh my brave man (4)
Oh my brave man, oh my brave man (4)
I love the courageous. I don’t dislike peace too (2)
The fruit of forgiveness ahh ha the promise of love (2)
Say brave man, brave man for peace and love
For this one, for this one country
Calling peace, peace, might be warming
But earned peace is champion of everything
Peace that comes through vanquishing is worse than terror (2)
….
Why are you covering up eachother?!
Listen to eachother stop the regret
Mother of a son tie a rope around your waist
Ethiopia my country tie a rope around your waist (2)
That is your child, that one is also your child, all a family
To whom you will favor, whom you will judge
The ambassel queen is also loved for her Tizita songs /song of reminiscence/. In her Tizta song, the listener can visualizes Ethiopia’s harmony, diversity and its yearn for peace and development. There is such a power that flows displaying nation’s embeded tradition and wisdom. Usually, Tizta songs have Kene allegorical meaning that lets the singer convey different socio-economic and political messages. Accordingly, like legendry Beharu Kegne, Maritu exploited this genre to talk about her upbringing, life experience, passion, hopes and sometimes regrets.The songs are blended and beautified with the examplary peaceful coexistence of people in Wollo as their rich culture that is strengthened by by religous and cultural exchanges. Maritu raised the impact of Tizta music genre and its listenability.
Drowning in the river of reminiscence
I finished my flesh, left out with bones
I was asking for you, my heart aches
What have I done to you to send me only your memories instead
Some Ethiopians compare or say she is like Tina Turner or Whitney Whiston. As admire both singers, Maritu for Ethiopian ears is more than any singer combined. Because her voice is unfalling and marvelous even without instruments. She doesn’t even have resources and training unlike the above singers. The songs of Maritu are also very near to Ethiopian lives reminding them their tradition, values and faith. One amusing thing is her passion to music despite age. She has shown her talent is intact and has a lot to contribute to Ethiopian music by releasing a new single “ Ereshreshu”/ meaning the bounty. The album is also anticipated to have similar magnitude of her previous works.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2023
