Ethiopian National Theater
Updated: 2004-07-09

The Ethiopian National Theater has six executants, 14 dancers and three singers.

Folk music and dance has been a part of the daily lives of Ethiopians since the beginning of time. The close relationship between music and dance is a unique feature of Ethiopian folk arts since there is no tradition of solo musical performances.

Ethiopian musical instruments are simple and primitive in terms of design, mainly consisting of stringed instruments, such as the Begana, Masinko and Kirrar, and wind instruments such as the Washint, Imbilta and Meleket. The Washint is a kind of crude Indian Bansuri made of bamboo with four narrow apertures.

Ethiopian folk dances feature dramatic leaps, stamping feet and constant swaying motions. Female dancers express themselves mainly by moving their heads and necks, as well as with facial expressions; they are usually immovable from the waist to the knees.