User:Dawit S Gondaria/Bahru Kegne

Bahru Kegne (ባህሩ ክግነ; 1929 - 12 March 2000) was an Ethiopian Azmari, who sang Amharic folk music, while playing his instruments. He was the second Azmari ever to have performed for Emperor Haile Selassie in the royal palace after Negatwa Kelkay.

Early Life
Bahru was born in a village called Wegel Tema then a small village, now a town in Delanta woreda in Amhara Region. His father Kegne Chekol and mother Kebebush Selegne were both peasants. As a young boy Bahru learned religious songs at a church school and was well underway in becoming a church vocalist. In 1940 he started playing the masenqo after receiving lessons from his uncle Teshale Worku and Teshome Kibret, a local Azmari from his home village. He also learned to play the krar and accordion. His talent led to his selection from his village to go to major cities like Dessie & Addis Abeba.

Career
Bahru was the private performer of Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen Tafari at his palace in Dessie and he also became the second Azmari, after Negatwa Kelkay to play for Emperor Haile Selassie in the Jubilee Palace, the main residence of his majesty.

Legacy
Bahru had 6 children. Son Tesfaye (1958-1992), daughters Gete (1971) & Negat (1976) from his first wife Woizero Abebech in Dessie. Three from second wife Woizero Wude Bishaw from Addis Abeba, daughters Tenagne (1977) & Meseret (1982), and a son, Teshager (1978).