በገና — Begena
Master instructor with the sacred harp of Ethiopian Orthodox tradition
አቤል በገና
Since tradition
Master Ethiopia's Sacred Musical Heritage
Learn Begena, Masinko, and Kirar from master instructors — in person in Addis Ababa or online from anywhere in the world.
3
Sacred Instruments
12+
Years Teaching
Global
Online Access
Sacred Tradition
Scripture & The Begena
The Begena is called the Harp of David — a ten-stringed lyre for praising God and chanting the Psalms. Holy Scripture teaches both its spiritual worth and the patient order in which it is learned.
Why We Learn the Begena
From King David to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, stringed praise has refreshed the soul, adorned worship, and carried God's word from heart to ear.
"Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp."
"Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings."
"Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound."
"I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee."
"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
The Order of Learning Begena
Sacred music is not hurried. In the tradition of our fathers, the student advances step by step — first in spirit, then in skill — before chanting the Psalms on the ten strings.
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01
Spiritual Preparation
መንፈሳዊ ዝግጅት
Prayer, humility, and reverence before touching the sacred instrument.
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02
Listening & Observation
ማዳመጥና ማስተዋል
Learning by ear, watching the master, and understanding the sound of each string.
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03
Tuning & Posture
ማያያዝና ማቀናበር
Proper handling of the Begena, posture, and tuning the ten strings with care.
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04
Foundational Melodies
መሠረታዊ ዜማ
Basic sacred melodies and modes — the groundwork of Orthodox church music.
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05
The Psalms of David
የዳዊት መዝሙሮች
Chanting Scripture on the Begena, as handed down through generations.
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06
Mastery & Service
ውጤትና አገልግሎት
Leading worship, performing at ceremonies, and teaching the next generation.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
About Us
Abel Begena Training Center
A dedicated institution preserving Ethiopia's rich musical traditions through structured, respectful instruction.
12+
Years of Experience
Under the guidance of Habtam Admasu, we offer comprehensive training in Ethiopia's three most cherished traditional instruments.
Our center bridges tradition and modernity — students celebrate graduation in white netela while learning through in-person classes and online sessions accessible worldwide.
🎵
Begena
በገና
🎻
Masinko
መሰንቆ
🪕
Kirar
ክራር
"Music is not merely sound — it is prayer, history, and identity passed from one generation to the next."
Our Experience
Your Journey to Mastery
From first registration to graduation ceremony — a clear path designed for every student.
01
Register
Complete our online form from anywhere, or visit us in person.
02
Learn
Morning, afternoon, or evening — in person or online.
03
Practice
Structured stages with personalized instructor guidance.
04
Graduate
Celebrate at our traditional graduation ceremony.
Available Courses
3 months
Introduction to Begena Playing
This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of playing the traditional Ethiopian instrument, the Begena, covering basic techniques and history.
3 months
1,500 ETB
Portfolio
Moments of Achievement
Highlights from our ceremonies, instruction, and the instruments we teach.
የተማሪዎች ምረቃ
Congregation in prayer at our graduation ceremony
Graduation Group Portrait
Students and instructors celebrating together on stage
Gallery
Photo Gallery
Browse moments from graduation ceremonies, training sessions, instruments, and our center.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about registration, training, and our programs.
Who can register for training?
Anyone interested in learning Begena, Masinko, or Kirar may register online from anywhere in the world, or visit our center in person.
Do you offer online classes?
Yes. Students may choose in-person, online, or both depending on their schedule and location.
How long does registration approval take?
After you submit your registration and payment proof, our registrar reviews your application and contacts you by email or phone once approved.
Which payment methods are accepted?
We accept the payment methods shown on the registration form, such as bank transfer and mobile money. Upload your receipt after payment.
What instruments do you teach?
We specialize in Begena, Masinko, and Kirar — Ethiopia's cherished traditional instruments.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Have questions about our programs? We'd love to hear from you and help you start your journey.
Phone
+251911234567Address
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Website
https://abelbegenea.schoolOffice Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Online Registration
Our public registration form is open to students worldwide. Choose your instrument, schedule, and training mode.
- ✓ Begena, Masinko & Kirar
- ✓ In-person or online training
- ✓ Flexible morning, afternoon & evening