Photos: Krar Collective, Gabriel Teodros celebrate Ethiopian roots

Gabriel Teodros shares the mic with a young fan. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
Gabriel Teodros shares the mic with a young fan. (Photo by Aida Solomon)

Before a diverse crowd of Ethiopians and Americans, Gabriel Teodros and the Krar Collective brought an explosion of culture, rhythm and dance to Seattle’s Town Hall on Friday. 

The Krar Collective is a London-based musical group that performs traditional Ethiopian music. The songs they perform represent the different regions and cultures that make up the diverse East Africa nation. The group features two traditional instruments: the krar, similar to a harp, and a set of drums called the kebero.

Krar Collective is made up of three musicians, Temesegen Zeleke on the krar, Grum Begashaw on the kebero, and special guest singer Beli Nigussie.

At the Town Hall event they were joined by Seattle rapper Gabriel Teodros who draws on his own Ethiopian origins to educate hip-hop listeners about his culture and identity. His powerful words paid tribute to his mixed ancestry, signifying how deeply that culture has shaped his craft.

The Krar Collective perform a traditional song from the Northern Ethiopian region of Tigray. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
The Krar Collective perform a traditional song from the Northern Ethiopian region of Tigray. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
The audience crowds in around Gabriel Teodros' performance. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
The audience crowds in around Gabriel Teodros’ performance. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
The Krar Collective performs a traditional dance of Tigray. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
The Krar Collective performs a traditional dance of Tigray. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
Temesegen Zeleke, Beli Nigussie and Grum Begashaw perform a song from the Ethiopian region of Oromia. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
Temesegen Zeleke, Beli Nigussie and Grum Begashaw perform a song from the Ethiopian region of Oromia. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
Onlookers Tarik Gebre Sisay and Mintwab Zemeadim cheer on the Krar Collective and Gabriel Teodros. (Photo by Aida Solomon)
Onlookers Tarik Gebre Sisay and Mintwab Zemeadim cheer on the Krar Collective and Gabriel Teodros. (Photo by Aida Solomon)