Traditional Music of The Ethiopian Highlands

Traditional music from the Ethiopian Highlands has been shaped and molded by the ruggedness of the region.  Although areas of the highlands are extremely isolated, some European influences have influenced the sounds.  Due to the isolated nature of the Highlands, many forms of music have developed somewhat independently of each other and as such the range of rhytms and instruments vary widely.   Instruments used include animal hide drums, harps, lyres, reed flutes or single voices. The music borrows much from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, including hand-clapping and solo rattles and drums. The video below has contains excellent examples of traditional music from the Ethiopian Highlands.  Enjoy!