"Some of the most raw and beautiful music ever heard? Yes, it's the sound of the begena harp, an instrument that dates back to around 5800 years (!) played by orthodox players in Ethiopia - one of the most tactile and emotive sounding instrument playing and singing, to our ears at least... A music dating back many millenia, yet somehow sounding like blueprint grime music at times? One thing is for sure If you listen deeply to these rhythms, and the songs, you'll be transported, truly, away with the music.

We remember finding out about the Begena harp through a crackly copy of a compilation record we found in our local 2nd hand shop Prime Cuts many years ago, and of course there's that great Ethiopiques comp series which captures some begena amongst the more moderen ethio-jazz variations - there are many avenues to explore Ethiopian music and it's rich history, but it's great to see the music cemented in the excellent discography of the Death Is Not The End label, now sitting proudly alongside Bristol pirate radio snapshots, as well as Lukid's new album, etc -

Anyway, do yourself a favour and get into the heart of this music - it's deep and rich, full of soul!

"The begena is a large ten-stringed lyre which is part of the traditional Amharic heritage of Ethiopia. The Amharas, who have long formed the politically and culturally dominant people of Ethiopia, mainly inhabit the central and northern part of the country. In the majority, they follow the monophysite Orthodox Tewahido Church established in the early fourth century AD.

Music plays a very important part in the life of the church. Most of the liturgy is sung and, contrary to secular music, it is accompanied by percussion instruments only. The begena occupies a special place because it is the one melodic instrument exclusively dedicated to the spiritual repertory. Because of its mythical origin, it is highly respected. Tradition holds that the begena was given to king David by God, and brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I, together with the Ark of the Covenant. It has always been the instrument of kings and nobles. Played by pious men and women of letters, it never became widespread. But it never disappeared either, not even under the Derg regime (1974-1991) which had banned the instrument.

Among Amhara string instruments, the begena is the most carefully crafted, especially with regard to the ornately sculpted crossbar. Its ten gut strings are cleaned and twisted several times. The characteristic buzzing timbre equalled by no other Amhara instrument is due to the enzirotch, that is, small bits of leather placed between each string and the bridge.

Priests and preachers recommend its presence, especially during Lent (Fassika Tsom) when the Orthodox Amharas ponder their sins and repent. Because of its spiritual import, the begena generates intense emotion. According to some musicans, playing the begena brings them into direct contact with God or the Virgin Mary. The religious role of the begena is underscored by the shape of the instrument, each part symbolises an important element of the faith. The crossbar for instance, which reaches across the entire width of the instrument, represents God who is above all things. The belly which "gives birth" to the sound represents the Virgin Mary, and the ten strings recall the Ten Commandments.

Recorded by Stéphanie Weisser in Addis Ababa, 2002-2005. "

Vinyl version - sounding lush.