Aspects of the History of Poet Musicians (Azmari) Community In Burbuax, North Gondar, 1974-1991

Abstract

Burbaux as the nucleus of most of the poet musicians in Ethiopia has played substantial role in the art of music and literary work. The paper attempts to highlight   the role they played as ‘literate' segment of the society in catalysing divergence issues raised by the wider public against systems and ways of life in the study area and other parts of Ethiopia since they moved periodically for entertainment. The Ethiopian revolution which broke out in 1974 was turning point in social and political scenario of the country. The revolution brought radical changes in the country as a whole so to Burbuax communities. Burbuax Azmari communities enjoyed these changes. Of the changes the land reform called land to the tiller was one that greatly benefited the minstrel community under research. Land in the imperial period was possessed by big name land owners namely Mesafints and mequants and the church. Although they were the most respected section of the society due to their art and representing media in the imperial period, it was not all azmaris hold land. It was there for, the revolution that made them to acquire land as to the farming community in the study area. Azmaris has continued to contribute their artwork in the revolutionary practices. They were organized in a new form of mass grouping /kinet/to deal with transformational propagation in the new light. They took the responsibility of leading the non azmari communities in the art because of their skill and experience .They also involved themselves not only in praising the fruits of the revolution they left also verses with satiric taste in political, social and economic system.

Objective; the study had the objective of investigating the indigenous musician involvement in the development endeavours of the Derg regime in Burbuax Kebele

Methodology: qualitative method of social science was employed throughout the research undertakings. As such techniques such as key informant interviews, focus group discussions, ethnographic interview and observation were some of many used? Above all, thorough reading and note taking of secondary and primary sources also made for effective triangulation in the research.