Felega: Bringing Back Azmari’s to the Creative Platform

Fendika Cultural Center embarked on a journey to revive the culture of Azmaris, musicians that use only one or two instruments, and are an integral part of the vibrant and deep rooted traditional music of Ethiopia that existed for more than 300 years. The lively Azmaris are very creative and highly talented in improvising, creating, and translating messages of important significance using music. They have served their communities as a status quo and messengers and now they are somehow surviving by working in weddings, religious ceremonies, and mostly being nomads going from bars to bars collecting tips for their glorifying kinds of music. Fendika launched a project that brought 12 Azmaris, age from 18 to 32, from Gondar and Wollo of Amhara Region, Selalle Fiche of Oromia Region, and Mekelle of Tigray Regions to build their capacity and exposure, and connected them with 6 prominent and successful Azmaris in Addis Ababa. The platform researched and found how disadvantaged these groups of creatives are and crafted a project that sheds light on the lives of Azamaris and worked to create awareness of their lives and struggles. The project aimed at creating sustainable financial capacity by converting their talent into income. This project has created the opportunity in enabling the Azmaris to promote and keep the vibrant ancient culture of the tradition of Azmaris. This has helped the Azmaris in increasing their confidence and garner support. Fendika hosted a 20 days workshop where technical training was provided to the trainees. They were trained on how to manipulate their skills in playing and using different instruments. The workshop also worked on developing the vocal skills of the Azmaris. The workshops were more practical and backed by the discipline and ethics of the culture of Azmaris so that they can express the culture to Azmari proudly and honestly. This will create continuity in transferring the culture of Azmari strongly and invite more young creatives to be interested to pursue this as their career. The workshop also opened an opportunity for the trainees to train on the job by performing in different events that hosted different types of audiences organized by Fendika. The trainees were part of Fendika’s Cultural Group and the performances created balance in the expression of culture by integrating music, dance, and Azmaris as one. The events took place at Alliance Ethio Française, Fendika Cultural Center, and Jupiter Hotel that hosted more than 800 audiences for all events. The last event was hosted on the Epiphany Celebration locally known as Timket Festival Yeka Michael that Fendika hosts and participates in. This event has attracted more than 1,500 Audiences.