<div>The Begena, a 10-stringed musical instrument of ancient origins and Biblical mention is found preserved in modern day Ethiopia. Mostly played solo and considered a devotional and sacred instrument, the Begena has survived the test of time; simultaneously avoiding the limelight and complete obscurity. A new generation of Begena players have now emerged echoing the ancient devotees of the instrument amidst globalization.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Begena Begenaye</strong>
</div>
<div>A documentary film by
</div>
<div>Eyerusalem and Melketsadek
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Begena Begenaye is a feature-length documentary currently in production that explores the deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of the begena, a 10-stringed instrument with ancient roots in Ethiopia. Revered for more than three millennia, the begena has been a symbol of spiritual devotion, meditation, and storytelling, connecting Ethiopia’s past with its present.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This documentary will follow the journeys of three young begena players, each representing a unique facet of the instrument’s history, ongoing evolution, and cultural importance. Their stories will highlight the challenges and triumphs of keeping the begena alive in a rapidly changing world, demonstrating how the instrument is being reinterpreted for modern audiences while honoring its deep historical roots. Through these exceptional begena players, we gain a deeper understanding of the instrument. They serve as our entry point into the world of the begena, and the relationship we’ve developed with them shapes the film in ways we hadn’t anticipated. Their sense of ownership, dedication, and time invested in sharing the begena's wonders are a constant source of inspiration, guiding us throughout the filmmaking process.
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Personal Connection to the begena</strong>
</div>
<div>The first aspect of the film focuses on the deep, personal connection that each protagonist has with the begena. Unlike instruments used for festive entertainment, the begena is traditionally tied to spiritual devotion and personal meditation. This is what drives players like Surafel Bahiru, a rising begena master, celebrated for his inventive fusion of traditional techniques and creative innovations. By day, he works as a bank teller, yet his heart belongs to the begena. Drawing inspiration from global devotional music, he weaves its melodies with the deep resonance of age-old begena arrangements passed down through generations, all the while infusing his own improvisations to create a sound that is entirely his own. Though Surafel has garnered recognition within online communities through his YouTube videos, his artistry remains largely unseen by the wider public. His journey is a poignant reflection of the delicate balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation. Surafel’s path highlights the challenge of sustaining cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world, where traditional musicians must often juggle their passion with practical realities to survive.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>The begena’s Historical Significance</strong>
</div>
<div>The second aspect of Begena Begenaye delves into the begena’s role in Ethiopian history. The instrument has been present at major historical events, such as the Battle of Adwa, where over 100 begena players accompanied Ethiopian soldiers. It was also revered by the Ethiopian nobility, who considered begena playing an honorable pursuit. Mintesinot Tesfaye, is a dedicated begena player, teacher, and researcher. His passion for art, research and preservation of culture and the begena led him to filmmaking, where he attended film school to learn how to document the begena’s cultural legacy. He travels across Ethiopia to find ancient manuscripts, rare instruments, and the stories of elderly players who have preserved the begena's traditions. As a skilled instructor, Mintesinot has trained many aspiring musicians, ensuring the tradition is passed on. In this documentary, Mintesinot plays a crucial role in researching the begena's history, locating the homes of important figures, and gathering archival materials from universities, libraries, and TV stations. His efforts are vital to preserving and documenting the instrument's legacy.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Evolving the begena for the Future</strong>
</div>
<div>The third aspect of the film explores the evolving role of the begena in the modern world. Ermias Haylay, a teacher, craftsman, and young father of two, stands as a key force in this transformation. At just 23 years old, Ermias runs a school dedicated to teaching the begena. His innovative approach to the instrument, coupled with his pioneering use of the begena in music therapy, is breathing new life into this ancient tradition. Ermias believes the begena’s unique frequencies have therapeutic potential, promoting healing and reducing stress. Through his work in nursing homes and hospitals, Ermias is adapting the begena’s sound to meet contemporary needs while preserving its spiritual essence. His efforts demonstrate how the begena can continue to serve both as a musical instrument and a tool for personal and communal well-being.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Creative Direction</strong>
</div>
<div>Begena Begenaye invites the audience into the profoundly spiritual world of the begena. With a meditative pace, the film will emphasize the bond between the players and their instruments. Through intimate cinematography, we will capture the serene beauty of the begena’s sound, the quiet moments of devotion, and the sacred spaces where it is played—whether in humble homes, monasteries, or the vibrant streets of Addis Ababa.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>While the film will reflect on these tranquil moments, it will also highlight the growing vibrancy of the begena’s resurgence. The contributions of the protagonists will be showcased through dynamic performance sequences, revealing their creativity and strength as they reinterpret the instrument for modern audiences. These performances will celebrate both tradition and innovation, illustrating how the begena evolves while staying true to its roots.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Structure and Narrative Flow</strong>
</div>
<div>The structure of Begena Begenaye will fluidly weave between the past and present, tracing the begena’s evolution from its ancient origins to its contemporary revival. The stories of the three protagonists will be interwoven with historical context, highlighting the instrument’s significance over time while illustrating its growing importance in Ethiopia today.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Conclusion</strong>
</div>
<div>Begena Begenaye showcases the transformative power of music to preserve culture, foster creativity, and empower communities. Through the lens of the begena, the film amplifies the voices of those preserving this ancient tradition, demonstrating how it inspires new generations to honor the past while embracing the future. The protagonists' personal stories reveal the begena as both a symbol of continuity and a living, evolving art form. Begena Begenaye hopes to create a space where the voices of the protagonists can be heard, showing how the instrument continues to inspire new generations while honoring the traditions of the past.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76873507_1724364580505906_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>The Filmmakers</strong>
</div>
<div>Melketsadek (Gizaw Tesfaye) is an Ethiopian-born director of photography with over two decades of experience as a professional photographer and graphic designer, bringing a refined artistic eye and a strong sense of visual aesthetics to his image making. He has contributed to a variety of roles in the camera and lighting departments across several film projects, quickly gaining expertise as a Grip, Gaffer, Camera Operator, and Cinematographer. Melketsadek has also been a key coordinator and instructor at the Luxor Film Festival, where he contributed to a series of annual workshops on the art of low-budget filmmaking, led by legendary independent filmmaker Haile Gerima. Currently, he is working as cinematographer and assistant editor on two upcoming docuseries by Haile Gerima: The Maroons and Black Lions, Roman Wolves.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Eyerusalem Seyoum is an Ethiopian-born photographer and multi-disciplinary artist. She began exploring filmmaking by enrolling in a one-year immersive film workshop led by Haile Gerima, alongside renowned filmmakers such as Alan Ferguson, Bradford Young, and Daniel Williams. The comprehensive workshop covered all aspects of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, pre-production, budgeting, pitching, production, editing, and post-production workflow. In addition to her training, Eyerusalem has gained hands-on experience on several film sets, contributing as a production designer, production assistant, on-set/behind-the-scenes photographer, and camera operator.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Eyerusalem and Melketsadek continue to work on their first film, Begena Begenaye as well as continuing their photography career; recently collaborating with Grammy award winning musician Jon Baptise for the Beethoven Blues album art.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><iframe media_type="0" media_id="gCeRQMJM_gI" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gCeRQMJM_gI/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>

Alan Ferguson

Maya Wagoner

Anonymous

Dinkenesh Kendrick

Kamau Grimes

Sefanit Tesfaye

Nesanet Abegaze

Atsede Wudineh

Jordan Strudwick

Maria A Judice

Munyang Tengen

Behailu Zerihun

Beimnet Getachew

Alemneh Wubet Woretaw

Shirikiana Gerima

Abel Eshete

Begena Begenaye documentary

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

currencyCode

Money Box Donation List Prompt Experiment Audience

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

Eligible for Profile Share Badge

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

Supporter Comments Eligible Funds

International Only

fundId

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

NPO upsell education category

unclaimed charities

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

NPO recommendations prod

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

Users Receiving Braze KYC Validation Failed

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

isEligibleForProfileBadge

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

categoryGroup

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.3.0 and above

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

NPO upsell animals category

NPO upsell disaster relief category

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

NPO upsell essential needs category

NPO upsell medical category

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

NPO upsell cancer category

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Begena Begenaye documentary

Still $26,202 to go. Help us build momentum.