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Azmari
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<p>An Azmari (<a href="/facts/Amharic/zVHLsajh">Amharic</a>: አዝማሪ) is an entertainer who sings and plays traditional <a href="/facts/String_instruments/srW2H8dV">string instruments</a> of the <a href="/facts/Ethiopian_Highlands/yzhBTNlg">Ethiopian Highlands</a>. They are comparable to medieval European <a href="/facts/Minstrels/ewkPlxFV">minstrels</a>, <a href="/facts/Bard/a0wybHV4">bards</a> or West African <a href="/facts/Griots/BYFHECh1">griots</a>. </p><p><i>Azmari</i>, who may be either male or female, are skilled at singing extemporized verses, accompanying themselves on either a <i><a href="/facts/Masenqo/xvh3vudH">masenqo</a></i> (one-stringed fiddle) or <i><a href="/facts/Krar/061m6fGr">krar</a></i> (lyre). </p>