Ethiopian Folk Instrument Stamps

This post features the Ethiopian folk instrument stamps of 1966. Musical Instruments are common features on postage stamps as symbols that help to remind citizens of a common cultural identity. Indeed, instruments are a symbol of pride in musical traditions and history. On stamps, particularly, they celebrate the people and customs of a nation. Read about other instrument sets from countries such as Thailand, Norway, and El Salvador, among others elsewhere on this site.

In 1966, Ethiopia released a set of five postage stamps that, explicitly celebrate five traditional musical instruments. The design for these stamps includes photographs by August Bocksor. The series became available on September 9, 1966.

Kebero (drum)

The first stamp in the series (lowest denomination) features the kebero, a double-headed conical drum. Players use their hands to play the top skin head of the drum. A large form of the instrument is in use in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for religious purposes. Smaller drums are popular in secular music.

Begena (lyre)

The second stamp in the series features the begena, one of two types of lyres depicted on this set of five stamps. The instrument has a square wooden body with two arms and a crossbar or yoke. Traditionally, the begena has ten strings and is plucked by the left hand. The instrument has a buzzy sound, caused by pieces of leather between the strings and the bridge on the wooden body. The instrument accompanies solo singers, most often for religious music. Although it accompanies sacred texts, the begena is not for public rituals, but instead is used for private reflection.

Masenqo

The masenqo is a single-string bowed fiddle. It has a diamond-shaped body covered with skin. Azmari musicians use the instrument to accompany their own singing. Either hand can control the bow the instrument, while the other hand sits lightly on top of the string to create the desired pitch.

Kerar

The second lyre in the series is the krar (or kerar). While the begena is used for intimate religious reflection, the krar is used for public music making and modern versions of the instrument are amplified like an electric guitar. It is also an instrument used by the azmari musicians who accompany secular songs with the lyre. The krar can be decorated with shells, beads, or pieces of cloth.

Washint (flute)

Finally, is a stamp that features two flutes, called washint. The flutes are end-blown, like a European recorder, and are of cane or bamboo. The instrument accompanies azmari songs, like the masenqo and the krar. While washint can differ in lengths, they typically have four finger holes tuned to notes in a pentatonic scale. A musician may use several different flutes in a single performance in order to have different notes and scales available.