By D. W .G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Challenging Stereotypes and Celebrating Heritage
Gabriella Ghermandi, a renowned Ethiopian Italian artist, is making waves with her new album "Maqeda," named after the Queen of Sheba, a pivotal figure in Ethiopian history. Reflecting on the controversy surrounding the charity backed Ethiopian pop group Yegna, Ghermandi was irked by the notion that Ethiopian women needed external guidance to empower themselves. "They want to teach us how to empower women? Ethiopia? With all its epics of women?" she exclaimed in an interview.
Ghermandi, who is also an author, singer, producer, and ethno musicologist, turned to music to highlight Ethiopia's rich history of powerful women. "Maqeda" consists of nine tracks, each honoring female figures, communities, rituals, and musical traditions. While often labeled as Ethio jazz, Ghermandi explains that the album encompasses a wide range of styles, including progressive, rock, and punk influences. Developed over four years, the album features contributions from Ethiopian and Italian musicians, as well as guest artists from Senegal, a beat boxer, and a body music performer. Ghermandi emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, aiming to blend her Ethiopian and Italian roots seamlessly.
Personal and Cultural Inspirations
Born in Addis Ababa in 1965 to an Italian father and an Ethiopian Italian mother, Ghermandi's upbringing was steeped in diverse musical influences. She recalls the vibrant musical scene of Addis Ababa, where her mother’s clothes shop was near a record store that played everything from Congolese music to the Beatles. Influenced by African greats like Fela Kuti, she frequently attended nightclubs with her older brothers and tea dancing parties at an Italian expat club.
Despite having no formal musical training, Ghermandi was deeply immersed in Ethiopian musical traditions through family events and community ceremonies. Her father’s job in construction took her to remote areas of Ethiopia, where she was introduced to various cultural practices. At three months old, she was taken to the Rift Valley to receive a "sound name" from the local Oyda people, a tradition that left a lasting impression on her.
Ghermandi’s latest album draws from these rich cultural experiences and extensive research. "Maqeda" showcases the Dorze people’s powerful polyphonic choirs in the song "Boncho," meaning “respect” in the Gamo language. Another track, "Set Nat" (She is a Female), counters a common Ethiopian saying that credits a woman’s achievements to her being as brave as a man. Ghermandi passionately rejects this notion, asserting that being a woman is more than enough. The album also highlights the matrilineal society of the Kunama people in "Kotilidda" and features traditional Ethiopian instruments like the avangala and masinqo, blending them with modern sounds.
Ghermandi’s dedication to preserving and promoting Ethiopian musical heritage while showcasing its modern relevance is evident throughout "Maqeda." Her work not only honors the past but also aims to inspire future generations of Ethiopian artists to embrace and innovate within their rich cultural traditions.
