Alemu Aga (; born 1950) is an Ethiopian musician, singer, and master of the Begena.

Life

Born in Entotto, near

Addis Ababa Addis Ababa (; ,) is the capital city of Ethiopia, as well as the regional state of Oromia. With an estimated population of 2,739,551 inhabitants as of the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the country and the List of cities in Africa b ...

, Alemu became interested in the begena (a ten-stringed member of the

lyre The lyre () (from Greek λύρα and Latin ''lyra)'' is a string instrument, stringed musical instrument that is classified by Hornbostel–Sachs as a member of the History of lute-family instruments, lute family of instruments. In organology, a ...

family, also known as "King David's Harp") at the age of twelve, when a master of the instrument, the

Aleqa The title Aleqa ("Master", also transliterated Alaqa) is a Honorific, honorific title used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is used as the title of a chief priest of a major church, the head of a monastery, as well as being an honorif ...

Tessema Welde-Emmanuel, stayed next door to his family. Aleqa Tessema began teaching at Ras Desta school, where Alemu was a pupil. As well as studying the begena at school, Alemu carried his master's instrument to and from school, and thus benefited from more of Tessema's time. He went on to study

geography Geography (from Ancient Greek ; combining 'Earth' and 'write', literally 'Earth writing') is the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. Geography is an all-encompassing discipline that seeks an understanding o ...

Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa University (; AAU) is a national university located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is the oldest university in Ethiopia. AAU has thirteen campuses. Twelve of these are situated in Addis Ababa, and one is located in Bishoftu, about away. ...

, and after graduation went to work as a geography and begena professor at the Yared Music School, where for seven years he also taught begena. Alemu went on to become an acknowledged master of the instrument, first recorded in 1972 by Cynthia Tse Kimberlin for a major

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

collection, and performing and broadcasting around the world. In 1974, however, the

Derg The Derg or Dergue (, ), officially the Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC), was the military junta that ruled Ethiopia, including present-day Eritrea, from 1974 to 1987, when they formally "Civil government, civilianized" the ...

military junta came to power in Ethiopia; their

anti-religious Antireligion is opposition to religion or traditional religious beliefs and practices. It involves opposition to organized religion, religious practices or religious institutions. The term ''antireligion'' has also been used to describe oppos ...

policies also included the banning of the begena from radio broadcasts, and the closing down of the Yared School's teaching of the instrument. As a result, Alemu Aga decided to give up his teaching post in 1980, and opened a shop in Addis Ababa Piazza district. For a time he played only in private, but the collapse of the Derg's régime led eventually to a change in state policy, and Alemu again began to teach and perform in public. Since the early 1990s Alemu travelled to many countries to perform with his begena. In 1995, together with the krar player

Asnaketch Worku Asnaketch Worku () (born 1935 – 14 September 2011) was an Ethiopian singer who sang in the Amharic language and a ''krar'' instrumentalist, the instrument which symbolized her fame during the 1960s and 1970's. Asnaketch also had a long disti ...

, he released the album ''Ende Jerusalem'' for Acoustic Music in Germany. In 2009, he released the CD "The Begenna of Elders – The Harp of David in Ethiopia" as well featuring the begena music of Seyoum Mengistu, Admassu Fikre and Tafesse Tesfaye. Laika-Records, 2009.

Discography

;Albums * ''Ende Jerusalem'' (1995, Acoustic Music) * ''The Begenna of Elders – The Harp of David in Ethiopia'' (2009, Laika-Records) * ''The Harp of King David.'' '' Ethiopiques'' Vol. 11, 1994. ;Contributing artist * '' The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia'' (2004,

World Music Network World Music Network is a UK-based record label specializing in world music. The World Music Network website features news, reviews, live music listings, and guide sections on world music. It also features an online "Battle of the Bands" competi ...

)

References

"Alèmu Aga — Master of the Begena"
by Seifu Mahifere *Liner notes from '' Ethiopiques 11: The Harp of King David'' (Buda Musique: 82232-2) {{DEFAULTSORT:Aga, Alemu 1950 births Living people 20th-century Ethiopian male singers Addis Ababa University alumni Buda Musique artists 21st-century Ethiopian male singers Date of birth missing (living people)