kerenian

Eritrea has rich and mosaic culture reflected by its folk music. Each region knows its original music. Yet the base remained the same. Not only the rhythm and the melodies do not differ much, but the instruments and the lyrics are in the same line. The kirar (Masenko) and the drums are used in most of the regions.

The Eritrean music is based on the so called pentatonic scale. A scale with 5 notes to the octave.( like the black notes in the piano). It is similar to the Scotish, Chinese and Porto Ricaen music. Its influence reached neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia.

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Contemporary Eritrean music might be a potpourri of diverse traditions, but it has emerged as a unique blend, with a character all of its own .It was the music of weddings, family gatherings and wild impromptu parties. Musical instruments in Eritrea varies from chordophone instrument such as Krar (masenko) which is the most common instruments used throughout Eritrea.