Musical communication resists transformations in the Horn of Africa

Specialists rely on the great role that the musical rapprochement between the peoples of East African countries can play in maintaining social and cultural ties and dissolving conflicts created by the great “geo-political” transformations in the region, during the last three decades.

Despite the independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia in 1993, the divisions that affected Somalia at the beginning of this century, the secession of South Sudan in 2011, the border and political crises that erupt from time to time, and the ambiguous differences; However, music remained the common factor that unites these countries.

The political and geographical borders between the kingdoms and states in the East African region, since BC until now, were not fixed or clear and specific, but were and are still subject to change and re-demarcation from time to time according to the political and military transformations that occur in these or that kingdoms and states.

But on the other hand, despite these transformations; However, the social, cultural and doctrinal life has not changed much; So that the group “divided” by the new demarcation of the border retains its similar customs, traditions and material cultures, but the most prominent aspect of that cultural and social similarity was clearly reflected in the musical communication.

broad harmony

It is easy for a wanderer in the countries of East Africa to notice the complete harmony of the peoples of the countries of the region with music and songs, even those that are not connected by a direct geographical neighbourhood.

And if you are passing through the streets of Addis Ababa, Khartoum or Asmara, then you will not miss listening to the songs of Mohamed Wardi, Sayed Khalifa and Al-Balbul as they set off from the café and radio recorders; Just like you hear Mahmoud Ahmed, Esther Oki and Teddy Afro in Khartoum or Halima Al-Somali and others.
Although there are differences, whether in the rhythms or methods of musical composition; However, many countries in the region share some traditional musical instruments; Eritrea and Ethiopia share the “Karar and Chirawata” machines; Sudan and Eritrea also share the “Rababa” instrument, which is called “the tambour” in northern Sudan, while the people of eastern Sudan and western Eritrea call it “Msingo”, which is very similar to the “Al-Karr” instrument with some slight differences in the shape of the whole instrument.

The Eritrean-Egyptian musician and composer Ahmed Omar told Sky News Arabia that the similarity between these instruments lies in their use of the pentatonic string. Omar points out that despite the different names and forms from one country to another, the musical product is very similar.