Menzuma is an Ethiopian Islamic devotional singing tradition centered on poetic praise and moral instruction. It is performed in Amharic, Harari, Oromo (Afaan Oromo), and sometimes Arabic, drawing on local Ethiopian melodic systems while adhering to the rhetorical cadence of Islamic praise poetry.
Typically led by a solo chanter with a responsive chorus, menzuma features strong unison delivery, handclaps, and frame-drum (duff) accompaniment. Performances are common during Mawlid (the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday), religious gatherings, weddings in Muslim communities, and community festivals, serving both spiritual reflection and communal cohesion.
Menzuma emerged in the Muslim communities of eastern and north-central Ethiopia—especially Harar and Wollo—during the 19th century. Its roots lie in Sufi devotional culture and Arabic-language praise poetry (manẓūma), adapted into local languages and Ethiopian musical aesthetics. The practice provided a vehicle for religious teaching, communal identity, and the veneration of the Prophet within a distinct Ethiopian context.
By the early 20th century, menzuma had become a recognizable communal art form associated with religious holidays (such as Mawlid), life-cycle events, and neighborhood gatherings. The call-and-response structure, rhythmic clapping, and duff playing fostered participation, while its poetic content conveyed ethical guidance, theology, and local history.
From the 1970s onward, cassette culture and later local radio helped circulate menzuma beyond its regional centers. Urban growth in Harar, Dire Dawa, and Addis Ababa enabled cross-regional ensembles and broadened audiences, while maintaining the genre’s devotional core.
In the 2000s and 2010s, video platforms and diaspora communities further amplified menzuma. Ensembles now perform at cultural festivals and interfaith events, often presenting the style alongside other Ethiopian musical traditions. Despite increased visibility, menzuma remains primarily a community-led devotional art whose authority derives from religious knowledge and poetic eloquence.
