EMBRACING NATURE FOR CULTURAL CONTINUITY: WAZA TRUMPETS AND THE MUSICAL TRADITION OF THE BERTA

The present study results from an ethnomusicological field research carried out in 2005 Benishangul Gumuz region of western Ethiopia . This region is famous for its plentiful flute, trumpet and animal horns observed in nearly every village of the Berta communities inhabiting the border regions of both Ethiopia and the Sudan. My investigation will provide a detailed examination of end-blown gourd trumpets called waza. It explores the traditional production process of these musical instruments, a special skill transmitted orally for generations. All materials used for waza making derive from what nature provides. For that, traditional and experienced instrument makers plant special gourds suitable to construct wazas in sets of up to 12 variously sized and tuned tubes. The study elucidates the century-old oral tradition of instrument making among the Berta. It also explores a waza ensemble performance, i.e. the instrumental setting, sound production related with the hocket technique, as well socio-cultural features. Video and audio recordings as well as photos taken during the fieldwork in the villages Inzi Shederia, Gambella and Nifro Gebeya located in close proximity of the region’s capital, Assosa.