Zema Mahlet

Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
March-May 2010

The Zema Mahlet-project will transcribe and translate the complete content of 25 2-hour radio programs, produced during 2008-2009 by the Ethiopian Musicians Association, from Amharic to English.

These radio shows include discussions between professionals on specific artists as well as general music issues such as copyrights etc. The project addresses a general lack of information and information sharing mechanism regarding the history of Ethiopian artists as well as within the contemporary music sector at large; its actors, progress, challenges etc.

The project objectives are to promote and raise awareness about traditional and modern Ethiopian music among professional actors and the general public on both national and international levels, and to develop capacity and increase the use of modern information & communication technology (ICT) among professional actors with the Ethiopian music sector.

The intent is also to safeguard, archive and distribute information regarding Ethiopian music cultural heritage and outstanding works of music professionals

Selam and Ethiopian Musicans Association started cooperation in 2005, when a series of 7 Music Critic Forums was organised in Addis Ababa on music issues. These seminars gained the interest of Ethiopian media and led to the realisation of the weekly radio show that is the focus and material of this project.

The transcriptions of the radioshows will be published on the web shortly.

Selam in cooperation with Ethiopian Musicians Association.