Paranomic view, beautiful culture and valuable lesson
Ethiopia is often described as a mosaic of people and cultures. Its southern part strengthen this truth containing over 45 indigenous groups with unique ways of life, language, beautiful landscape and other riches. From this variation, there is often something incredible to came out and attract other Ethiopians and the world. Authentic music is among the gifts of the region now controlling the hearts of music lovers in Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world.
The Wolaita music has powerful heat with simplicity of lyrics but unique voice and dancing. The music of Wolaita has been famous for a time. Legendry Zewdu Bekele is among singers to make Wolaita music known by other Ethiopians. His song “Lome Lome” is catchy and was once music of the town. “Lome Lome” roughly means my darling please come to me, along the way the music tells that it is worthy to go and visit Wolaita. Zewdu rocks stage with his rough voice and powerful bass guitar. The beats of Wolaita and talent of Wolaita singers attracted famous Amharic singers like Teddy Afro, Tsehaye Yohannes and others for collaboration. The intensity, effect and message of Wolaita is growing by young singers like Sami Go, Gaga Siyum (Didi Gaga) and others.
Didi Gaga is attracting large audience with his captivating voice, unique dancing style and cherography. The number of listeners is quite astonishing. One of his single “Woze” got more than eight millions of viewers ( The population of Wolaita is estimated to 6 million) “Woze” preaches preserverance. His recent single “Sorri” is also popular as it is already got more than eight hundred thousand viewers in just two weeks. Many people commented on his YouTube video saying this is a proof that music is a universal language.
Omotic musics aren’t just ear catching. They motivate someone to dancing. Musics from this place were signifcant as they promote indiginous people of Hamer and other omotic people, give valuable lessons and bring forth special attire and dancing. “Meso Negaya” music of Saron Teferi and Muda Shede made Hamer the place of attraction especially for local tourists. Omotic musics sustained its influence as Tariku Gankasi/ Dishta Gina emerged. Dishta Gina gained more than thirty millions of viewers on YouTube. The language he used doesn’t have that many speakers but he gained
listeners for the beats, for the dance moves and ofcourse for the timely message. This song as it promotes new dancing style for many people to try and record themselves it also ignited discussion. With simple but thoughtful lyric, the song preached unity and reconcilation. It says we are from the same father Adam. We should care for eachother as everything in this world is short.
The song gains worldwide popularity. It becomes so popular that Akon requests to work with Gankisi to remix the song. With Akon’s fame, the remix goes on to reach new audiences and allows the message to continue spreading.
Gamo songs are equally hot and fervently promote many aspects of the society. The musics coupled with the beautiful costumes and Gamo’s scenery is making Arbaminch place of retreat. From Ably Chedo to Asge Dendesho Gamo music proved its quality and power to enourage listeners to dance. The dance and the costume is also unique. Asge’s Yaddise got eight million views and Asge did many collaborations with artists from Ethiopia and particpated in Coke Studio Africa. He is already face of Gamo Gofa as it he is involved in many things and contribute to his community through his music. His latest release “ Loleshe” is being listened.
The musicians are cultural ambassadors as their beautiful music is attracting people to wear costumes of these people, eat their food and pay a visit to the places individually or in groups.
The food, drink, dancing style and attire are varied in this region. This rich however was overshadowed by the popular cultures of the centeral Ethiopia and other parts. But art was insistent for people to notice what is hidden in South Ethiopia. Novels of Fikremarkos Desta is a good example for arts power of promoting culture. He captured the interest of many people to that leading increasing flock of visit to Hamer. But songs are even powerful and sustained alluring Ethiopians, other Africans and the world at large to give focus for this region! The content of the music is also worthy to be listened and supported as they raise universal themes of love, respect, confidence, endurance, togtherness, and patriotism.
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 15 JULY 2023
