The Ethiopian Re'ese Liqawnt (head professor), Yared, was born on April 25, 505 A.D. in the city of Aksum.

St. Yared was the author of many religious songs and hymns devoted to particular occasions of the seasons and of the months and to the days and festivals of the saints and the Holy Trinity. He divided his hymns into four parts, each with its own melody. These songs were for the four seasons of the years: winter, summer, spring and autumn. He named the great book comprising these church hymns, Deggua. Deggua means in Tigrigna, De'guaa which in turn means lamentations, songs of mourning or higher understanding. The great Degua is also called "Mahlete Yared" meaning treasury of hymns or songs of Yared. He prepared the Deggua in the three modes of chanting used in the church and known respectively as Geez, Ezel and Ararai. Geez means the plain chant for ordinary days; Ezel means a more measured beat for funerals; Ararai means a lighter, free mood for great festivals. The three modes: Geez, Ezel and Ararai are supposed to represent the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost respectively.


Recorded in December 1990 and January 1991 in different provinces of Ethiopia.

Author: Manuel Gomes; Murielle Mignon
Publisher: France : Playa Sound, 1991.
Edition/Format: Music CD : CD audio : Ethiopic

Liturgical singing in Ezel (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church)

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