LP LP

Sub Rosa

Ethiopian Musics 1971 - Recorded by Ragnar Johson and Ralph Harrisson

Ethiopian Musics 1971

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Recorded across Ethiopia in 1971, this collection documents a remarkable range of traditional music and oral culture from Addis Ababa and beyond. Captured by Ragnar Johnson and Ralph Harrisson, the recordings feature masenko fiddles, craar and bagana lyres, washint flutes and kabaro drums, alongside folk songs, sacred Christian music, sung poetry and regional ceremonial performances.

The journey extends from the capital's tej beit bars to the Danakil Desert and the borderlands of Sudan and Kenya, preserving Afar chants and flute music, Anuak thumb piano pieces, Nuer harp and dance rhythms, and Fila flute dances. Highlights include performances by Mary Armede, whose craar playing and Amharic songs showcase a rich musical tradition.

More than fifty years after they were recorded, these performances remain a vivid document of Ethiopia's diverse musical heritage, preserving sounds, stories and traditions that continue to resonate today.
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Release date: Jun 25, 2026

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