An
azmari is an
Ethiopian singer-musician, comparable to the European
bard or the West African
griot.
Azmari, who may be either male or female, are skilled at singing extemporized verses, accompanying themselves on either a
masenqo (one-stringed fiddle) or
krar (lyre).
Azmari often perform in drinking establishments called
tejbeit, which specialize in the serving of
tej (honey mead).