Arts Academy

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    THE ROLE OF BEGASHEKA TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY MUSIC IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TIGRIGNA MUSIC
    (Mekelle University, 2025-08-25) GEBRESLASSIE YSHAK ZEREFA
    This study examines the role of Begasheka traditional community music in the development of Tigrigna music, focusing on its cultural significance, thematic elements, and musical structures. Through ethnographic research involving interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussions with elders, musicians, and cultural experts in the Tembien region of Tigray, Ethiopia, the research reveals how Begasheka music serves as a vital medium for preserving oral history, reinforcing communal identity, and transmitting social values. The study concludes that Begasheka music is not merely entertainment but a living cultural archive essential to Tigrigna heritage. It recommends urgent preservation measures, including academic documentation, integration into education systems, and community-based revitalization programs. By safeguarding this tradition, stakeholders can ensure the continuity of Ethiopia’s intangible cultural heritage while fostering intergenerational connections.
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    ANALYSIS OF DIRGE IN THE CITY OF AXUM
    (Mekelle University, 2025-08-25) THAHAYE NIGUSE FITIWI
    This abstract explores the Axumite society’s unique expressions of grief or mourning or dirge in Tigray, Ethiopia, distinguishing between the formalized chants of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church and the cultural, secular dirge. While the church’s zema system, established in the 6th century by Saint Yared, offers a structured framework with modes like Ezil, Giez, and Araray, Dirge’s emerges as a powerful form of oral poetry and lamentation. This practice uniquely defiance social norms that advocate emotional restraint, instead promoting raw, uninhibited vocalizations as a cathartic and authentic means of expression, predominantly by women. As a dynamic form of public lament, Elegy transforms personal loos into a collective narrative of suffering, particularly in response to socio- political traumas. It was a cappella nature amplifies unfiltered emotion, setting it apart from other musical forms. Ultimately, through sophisticated poetic device and its improvisational oral tradition, dirge serves not merely as an outlet for despair but as a profound art form that helps mourner’s structure grief, reconstruct reality, and preserve society identity and resilience.
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    REFLECTIONS OF CULTURAL, IDEOLOGICAL, AND PHILOSOPHICAL THEMES IN TIGRIGNA TRADITIONAL SONGS 2008-2011 EC
    (Mekelle University, 2025-08-25) EYOB MUSIE DEMAS
    This study explored the reflections of cultural, ideological, and philosophical themes embedded in traditional Tigrigna songs of Tigrai during the period 2008–2011 E.C. Employing a textual analysis methodology, the research draws on lyric analysis, in-depth interviews, and focused group discussions to uncover how these songs serve as repositories of communal memory, identity, and belief systems. The findings reveal those traditional songs prominently express nationalism and patriotism, reaffirming the significance of music in fostering unity and collective identity during times of sociopolitical upheaval. Philosophically, the songs convey deep spiritual convictions and moral teachings, revealing how musical expression becomes a conduit for articulating ethical principles and metaphysical perspectives. Culturally, symbolism is intricately woven into the lyrical narratives, using metaphor, allegory, and imagery to communicate complex meanings tied to both historical experience and communal values. These symbolic layers strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer, reinforcing cultural consciousness and ideological coherence. The study concludes that Tigrigna traditional songs are not merely artistic expressions but vital cultural texts that bridge past and present, sustain identity, and inspire resilience. Their continued preservation and integration into educational and community frameworks are essential to safeguarding Tigrai’s intangible heritage.
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    NATIONALISTIC TIGRIGNA MUSIC VIDEO CLIPS IN ‘DIMTSI WEYANE’ TV IN 2010-2011 E.C
    (Mekelle University, 2025-08-25) LYDIA GEBRESILASSIE
    The research aimed at studying Tigraian nationalistic music in terms of developing nationalism in Tigrai. It is a descriptive study type, which employed qualitative research approach to analyze the musical nature, ways of enhancement of nationalism and the roles of the music in development of nationalism. Data was gathered through document analysis from five music video clips that were selected using purposive sampling. Each music video clip was analyzed for nationalism features such as identity, temporal and spatial claims focusing on its lyrics (use or delivery of language), sound structure, melody, rhythms, instruments, performances (dances styles and costumes) and reception among the audience. The music were sound to be nationalistic in nature in terms of their language delivery, musical composition, performances, costumes and hairstyles in enhancing to describe nationalism . The music had also a substantial role in promoting and enhancing nationalism through their strong language delivery in their lyrics; using indigenous musical instruments and distinctive Tigraian melody and rhythmic structure; including acted and natural performances, that are unique to Tigraian people in their video clip, In doing so, the songs enhances the identity, temporal and spatial claims that the nationalism discourse is based on and are considered to be successful in inspiring the people to get together and protect its right for self-administration and self-governance. It is recommended that music writers and composers have to consider the basic elements of nationalism and incorporate them in every aspect of their songs. They also have to consider minimizing the influence of western musical instruments and encouraging the use of indigenous cultural instruments. The office of Tigrai culture and tourism, Tigrai educational institutions, language and culture research centres and national media have to study some role of the nature and contribution of music in building nationalism because it helps to establish a research and documentation center and to the preservation and documentation of nationalism music. Further study that includes more nationalistic music and data that are more comprehensive also recommended.
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    An Ethnomusicological Analysis of Selected Indigenous Amharic Children’s Songs in Selected Government and Non-Governmental Primary Schools in Addis Ababa
    (Mekelle University, 2025-08-25) Fikadu Wagaw Abebe
    This study explores the Ethnomusicological features of selected indigenous Amharic children’s songs in both government and non-governmental primary schools in Addis Ababa. It aims to examine the musical, linguistic, and cultural elements embedded in these traditional songs and assess their roles in children's socialization, moral education, and identity formation. The study employs qualitative research methods, including interviews, participant observation, and audio-visual documentation. Songs were classified into categories such as play songs, lullabies, and moral instruction songs. Musical and lyrical analyses were conducted to uncover patterns, themes, and educational implications. The findings reveal that indigenous Amharic children’s songs are rich in poetic devices, traditional melodies, and cultural values. These songs contribute significantly to children’s cognitive, emotional, and ethical development. Moreover, variations were found in how the songs are used and perceived across government and non-governmental schools. The study concludes with recommendations for incorporating indigenous music into formal education and preserving these cultural expressions for future generations.
  • Collection
    Department of Music and Fine Art