The Ethiopiques collection aims to make the Western world discover the
missing link of African music. The great Italian musicologist Enrico
Castelli has devoted this album to the Konso, a tribe from the region
of Ethiopia bordering Sudan. Songs linked to the daily agricultural
chores, sacred or ritual songs as well as entertainment music.
Shepherds and peasants play the "hibhara", "maayra" and "luutota"
flutes, accompany their songs on the "kihayta" lyra. Along with the
"tawan" bell dedicated to epics, the "turumpa" horn, the "kawla"
xylophone and the "timpa" drum, these make up the rich Konso instrument
collection.
