Biruktawit Tasew’s fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, holding their audience ...

Students of Eman Begena School sing songs as they carry their begenas on a taxi bus heading to perform at a begena therapy session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo: AFP Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide ...

Addis Ababa (AFP) – Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, ...

In the past, most Ethiopians were acquainted with the begena as a traditional musical instrument during the time of Lent, when it was constantly played over the radio, particularly during the reigns ...

One of the country's oldest instruments, the begena was once reserved for the elite -- and effectively banned during the Marxist Derg regime between 1974 and 1991. Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide ...