The
music of Ethiopia is extremely diverse, with each of
Ethiopia's ethnic groups being associated with unique sounds. Some forms of traditional
music are strongly influenced by
folk music from elsewhere in the
Horn of Africa. However, Ethiopian religious music also has an ancient
Christian element, traced to
Yared, who lived during the reign of Gabra Masqal. In northeastern Ethiopia, in
Wollo, a
Muslim musical form called manzuma developed. Sung in
Amharic, manzuma has spread to
Harar and
Jimma, where it is now sung in the
Oromo language. In the
Ethiopian Highlands, traditional secular music is played by mostly itinerant musicians called
azmaris, who are regarded with respect in Ethiopian society.