Gabriella Ghermandi, an Ethiopian-Italian author, singer, producer, and ethno-musicologist, is redefining the narrative of Ethiopian women’s empowerment with her latest album, ‘Maqeda’.
The album, named after the Queen of Sheba, a revered figure in Ethiopian history, stands as a powerful tribute to the true queens of Ethiopia.
Ghermandi’s inspiration for the album came from a place of frustration.
When the UK-backed Ethiopian pop group Yegna, often referred to as the “Ethiopian Spice Girls,” emerged with the aim of empowering Ethiopian women, Ghermandi questioned the need for external influence on a culture rich with its own powerful female figures.
“They want to teach us how to empower women? Ethiopia? With all its epics of women?” she remarked in an interview with the BBC.
‘Maqeda’ features nine tracks that pay homage to various female figures, communities, rituals, and musical styles from Ethiopia.
While some might label it Ethio-jazz, Ghermandi states that the album incorporates a broader spectrum of sounds, blending traditional Ethiopian music with progressive, rock, and punk influences.
“It’s a very rooted Ethiopian music, but at the same time, there are very prog sounds, very rocky and punk sounds. You can find everything,” she told the BBC.
The album was meticulously crafted over four years, involving collaboration with Ethiopian and Italian musicians from the Atse Tewodros Project, as well as guest artists from Senegal, and a beat-boxer and body music performer.
“We wanted to digest the music,” Ghermandi explains, highlighting the deep, collaborative process behind the album’s creation.
Born in Addis Ababa in 1965 to an Italian father and Ethiopian-Italian mother, Ghermandi’s early life was steeped in the rich cultural tapestry of Ethiopia.
Her upbringing was filled with music, from the bustling streets of Addis Ababa to the nightclubs where African greats like Fela Kuti performed.
Despite having no formal music training, her immersion in Ethiopian musical traditions during family weddings and church ceremonies deeply influenced her artistic style.
Travel also played a significant role in shaping Ghermandi’s perspective. Her father’s work in construction took her to remote parts of Ethiopia, instilling in her a deep appreciation for the country’s diverse cultures.
One poignant childhood memory involves being taken to the Rift Valley to receive a moytse, or “sound name,” from the Oyda people, a tradition that underscores the cultural depth she brings to her music.
‘Maqeda’ reflects Ghermandi’s lifelong connection to Ethiopia’s cultural heritage.
The song “Boncho,” which means “respect” in the Gamo language, showcases the powerful polyphonic choirs of the Dorze women.
“Set Nat (She is a Female),” created in collaboration with an Ethiopian poet, challenges the notion that women’s achievements need to be compared to men’s bravery. The song’s rhythmic call-and-response in a 7/4 time signature echoes the sounds of Ghermandi’s childhood.
Another track, “Kotilidda,” honors the matrilineal society of the Kunama people near the borders of Eritrea and Sudan. It features the avangala, a two-stringed instrument unique to the Kunama.
“I really wanted to mix the Ethiopian traditional instruments with modern instruments because Ethiopia does not promote enough its traditional instruments outside the country,” says Ghermandi, aiming to inspire Ethiopian artists to embrace and modernize their musical heritage.
“Saba,” meanwhile, narrates the legendary Queen of Sheba’s journey to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon, with the masinqo, a one-stringed fiddle, playing an ancient Hebrew melody to honor Ethiopia’s Jewish community.
Through ‘Maqeda’, Gabriella Ghermandi celebrates the rich history of Ethiopian women and also bridges the gap between traditional and modern music, creating a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Ethiopian queens.
‘Maqeda’ is a reminder that the strength and resilience of the Black woman have always been and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.
