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Ethiopian Women of History and Myth Celebrated on MAQEDA Galileo MC is highly respected for its diverse global music catalogue and as a record label that champions special projects. The newest addition to the growing Galileo catalogue is a celebration of the historical and mythological women of Ethiopia called MAQEDA, curated and produced by Ethiopian-Italian singer, author, composer and ethnomusicologist, Gabriella Ghermandi. Taking its name from the Ethiopian for Queen of Sheba, MAQEDA is an Ethiojazz album entirely dedicated to the female figures of Ethiopian and African history and mythology and the rituals of ethnic groups that centre around women. Meticulous research from Gabriella Ghermandi and her musical team resulted in four different Ethiopian languages featuring on MAQEDA including Amharic, Kumana on ‘Kotillidda’, Gamo on ‘Boncho’ and Gofa from southern Ethiopia on ‘Baranche’. The making of MAQEDA was financed by the Ministero Italiano della Cultura and brought to fruition by the Atse Tewodros Project, a musical ensemble created by Gabriella Ghermandi in 2010. Gabriella’s vision was to bring together an ensemble of Italian and Ethiopian musicians as a way of fostering mutual dialogue and artistic creation. The project was founded in Addis Ababa, growing out of the collaboration between Gabriella Ghermandi, Ethiopian composer Aklilu Zewdy and Professor Berhanu Gezaw. The Atse Tewodros Project is named after the Ethiopian Emperor Atse Tewodros II who ruled from 1855 to 1868 and was widely considered the father of modern Ethiopia, as the first Emperor to give Ethiopia the chance to modernize while respecting its traditions. In a similar way, the Atse Tewodros Project creates music that respects the diverse traditions of Ethiopian music while opening it up to dialogue and exchange of musical genres. As producer and singer Gabriella Ghermandi says, “In my projects, I love to research and bring out unknown music from ethnic groups, to share the amazing variety of Ethiopian musical genres and traditions. I work with musicians who perform on traditional Ethiopian instruments, showing how musicians on traditional instruments can dialogue with modern instruments and also with various jazz approaches. As the daughter of an Italian migrant and an Ethiopian woman, my parents came together as a result of war. I like to create music with a group that brings together artists from two peoples who fought each other, as a form of healing, of practicing peace. Above all, I long to bring as much Ethiopian music as possible to the world.” Maternal ties and ancestry are widely celebrated on MAQEDA. The album cover shows Gabriella Ghermandi’s maternal ancestry including Gabriella Ghermandi’s great grandmother, Gabriella’s grandmother, and the grandmother’s sisters. The song ‘Kotilidda’ is dedicated to mothers and to their power to rule and is performed in the Kunama language. While the Kunama represent one of the smallest ethnic communities in Ethiopia, they practise matriarchy. ‘Kotilidda’ literally means the central pillar of traditional houses but is a reference for the mother as the centre of family life, the community and supporter. ‘Maqeda’, the title track of the album is the Ethiopian name for the legendary Queen of Sheba whose cultural importance still lives on today. The Queen of Sheba continues to be revered today by many Ethiopians as one of the country’s most important factual maternal ancestors. The lyrics convey this respect for Sheba, “Queen of benevolent kingdoms/We had you among us/You Maqeda, Our mother/ Treasure chest of sacred secrets.” Gabriella Ghermandi’s vision and work as a producer is far-reaching: MAQEDA becomes the second musical project from The Atse Tewodros Project and features seventeen musicians in total. It’s importance both musically and historically are commented on by the CEO of Galileo Music, Daniel Dinkel, “Galileo Music has been endeavouring to provide a platform for music from many parts of the world since 2002. The focus is on music with traditional roots, which is fused with modern stylistic devices or other cultural influences. The Atse Tewodros Project fits this idea with its Ethiopian roots and a band consisting of Ethiopian and Italian musicians. Music is the perfect bridge builder between young and old, traditional and modern and the different cultures. With our releases we want to contribute to bringing people together and Gabriella Ghermandi, her band and her project stand for exactly that in our opinion.” MAQEDA releases internationally through Galileo MC on 21st June, 2024. Album Information Maqeda Musicians: Atse Tewodros Project Cat-Ref. GMC110 Barcode: 4250095801105 Release Date: 21.06.2024 Record Label + Publisher: Galileo MC Genres: World Music - Africa – Ethiopian Languages performed in: Amharic, Kunama, Gamo and Gofa The Atse Tewodros Project Gabriella Ghermandi: Vocals Anteneh Teklemariam: Electric and Acoustic kirar (bowl-shaped lyre – ancient small harp) Abu Gebre: Washint (Ethiopian traditional flute) and avangala Camilla Missio: Bass Guitar Endres Hassen: Masinqo (Ethiopian traditional one string bowed lute) Fabrizio Puglisi: Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes and Synth ARP Misale Legesse: Kebero (Ethiopian traditional drums) Tommy Ruggero: Drum set, doun doun and percussions Tracklisting and languages on MAQEDA – Galileo MC Total Time: 50:55 1. Set Nat 05:20 - Amharic 2. Kotilidda 05:20 - Kunama 3. Saba 05:44 - Amharic 4. Boncho 07:06 - Gamo 5. Dink Hona 06:14 - Amharic 6. Hendeke 05:50 - Amharic 7. Maqeda 05:16 - Amharic 8. Baranche 04:09 - Gofa 9. Lucy 05:56 - Amharic |
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