Honoring music legend Asnaketch Worku
Honoring music legend Asnaketch Worku

Summary/Abstract: One of Ethiopia’s artistic origins is found in the music repertoire of the traditional azmari (musician), a cultural heritage that has been handed down orally since generations. Nonetheless, the profession and the professionals were not given due recognition in the past. Honouring or appreciating musicians has not been common practise in Ethiopia. Particularly women were considered as bad-mannered, if they became musicians. This paper discusses the personal and professional life of the female artist, Asnaketch Worku who passed away on 15th September, 2011 after having served the stage for more than five decades. She was an allround-talent, i.e. theatre actress, dancer, singer and self-taught krar player (six-stringed bowl lyre) who undoubtedly left an unforgettable memory to many. She appeared to the scene in the early 1950s for the first time when artists were generally deprived of any admiration or respect. Despite hardships she had to face in a strongly patriarchal and conservative Ethiopian society, she stood by her profession. She has performed uncountable theatre plays, produced her everlasting songs and made a relentless effort to encourage young women to break taboos and to join the world of art. In this study, special emphasis is given to her music career and her timeless songs. Thus, selected songs will be discussed from various perspectives.

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