The Ethiopian National Defence Force Marching Band

Major General Endalkachew Weldekidan Dega, Head of the Training Department of the Ethiopian Armed Forces

The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) Band is the leading creative group of the Ethiopian Armed Forces always engaged in all major political, social and cultural events of the country, including state official ceremonies and celebrations as well as national holidays.

The ensemble’s origins can be traced back to 1889, a time when Ethiopia was going through significant modernisation changes under Emperor Menelik II rule. Introducing several Western-style role models to the army, he directed the creation of a dedicated music unit whose main purpose was to cover military parades and state official visits. Despite the Ethiopian Empire collapse, the music ensemble continued to perform its ceremonial duties.

The ENDF band’s current repertoire is very diverse, encompassing national and patriotic pieces that are reminiscent of traditional Ethiopian battle songs as well as classical military marches composed under European and Russian music patterns.

The band is composed of three main sections that play percussion, wood and brass wind instruments. In addition, musicians frequently employ Ethiopian traditional instruments, such as the kebero, a large hand drum, and the masenqo or masinko, a one-string bowed lute.

The ensemble has already presented their country in Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, Libya and across Europe.

Ethiopian military musicians expertly blend some of the best military orchestra traditions with their national music heritage.

The Ethiopian National Defence Force Band is the finest example of the spirit and tenacity of the country’s armed forces, as well as its extensive cultural legacy.