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THE REVIVAL OF THE ENDANGERED ETHIOPIAN TRADITIONAL MUSIC INSTRUMENTS ‘BEGENA’ AND ‘MELEKET’ AT SISAY BEGENA TRADITIONAL MUSIC INSTRUMENT INSTITUTE [Abstract ID: 0208-09]
In Ethiopia, there are a lot of traditional music instruments which have a tremendous value and play various types of roles in the societies. Although these traditional music instruments are available in different parts of the country, they are not well studied, documented and preserved except for very few. Most of these traditional music instruments are endangered due to lack of preservation even if they are an important part of the society’s cultural and historical heritages. Besides, the influence of modern musical performances is putting the traditional instruments in jeopardy. Understanding the above indicated problems and influences, Sisay Begena Ethiopian traditional music instrument institute is working on the revival of some of these endangered Ethiopian traditional musical instruments in various ways (by teaching and making the instruments). This study examines the efforts made by the institution to revive the ‘Begena’ and ‘Meleket’. It focuses on the historical background of the instruments, their values and the role they play in the society, the efforts made to make and revive their music instrument making workshop, efforts made on teaching how to play the instruments in their institute, their contribution in keeping traditional and cultural musical heritages and the challenges they are facing in doing so. In the study, qualitative method was used. Data was collected using field observation, interview and document analysis. Finally, the results are discussed, conclusion and recommendation are forwarded.