Ethiopian Dance: Major Categories

Ethiopian Dance and Music

Characteristics of Dance Styles

• The Dorze tribe is known for a smooth, circular dance routine characterized by shoulder and neck movements.
• The northern parts of Ethiopia, where the indigenous tribes of Amhara, Wollo, Gojjam, Gondar, and Shoa are found, predominantly practice Eskista dance, which involves upper body and neck movements.
• The Oromos at the center and south of Ethiopia are known for their dance style, which features fast and dynamic movements.

Tribal Dance Styles

• The Oromo tribe has a dance style dominated by upper body and neck movements.
• The Konso tribe has an acrobatic dance that requires high levels of arm, leg, and body coordination.

Role of Dancer and Attire

• The best dancer typically plays a leadership role in Ethiopian traditional dance.
• In Ethiopian traditional music performances, singers from the northern regions wear clothes made of hides or skins.
• In the south and west regions, traditional music performers typically wear decorated cotton clothes.
• The Amhara and Tigreans wear traditional clothing made of white cotton cloth with embroidery during traditional music performances.

Performance Venues and Purpose

• Tourists and locals can enjoy traditional Ethiopian music in the north of the country at Azmari houses.
• Eskista dance plays a significant role in Ethiopian traditional culture, often used to express emotions and tell stories.
• The main purpose of dance, music, and singing in Ethiopian traditional culture is to express emotions and tell stories.
• In the south region of Ethiopia, female dancers often wear beads around their neck and arms.
• Traditional dance stages in Ethiopia are usually found in open-air settings, such as courtyards and squares.