Asmara Theater Association (Mat’A) Founded

Mat’A members performing

Mahber tyatr Asmera (Mat’A) or Asmara Theater Association was founded by interested citizens to push for an Eritrean cultural and national renaissance. Besides the association’s goals of promoting Eritrean culture and identity, it also strongly pushed to empower and embolden the youth to stand up against Ethiopian rule by promoting resistance through music and poetry. For this reason, the association was always under heavy surveillance and censorship by the Ethiopian government. But this didn’t stop many of the members from writing many cryptic songs instilling patriotic fervor in the youth.

Mat’A members

Seemingly romantic or simple songs about life in general would have a different invigorating meaning to many youth of the time. Notable songs can be:

• “tefetawit quotsli” by Osman Abdulrahim (the beloved leaf, referring to the green olive branch on the blue Eritrean flag from the days of the government of Eritrea);
• “ti gezana A’bi hidmo, tiQuan qunChi meli’omo” by Tibereh Tesfahuney (our big abode, infested with bugs and fleas, unwelcome occupiers) ;
• “shigey habuni” by Tewolder Redda (give me my torch, longing for independence)
• “Adeye Adeye, beAl men’yom ziTelemu” by Atewebrhan Segid (my country, who were those that betrayed you?)

Another accomplishment of Mat’A to be noted is the inclusion and empowerment of women artists.  One of the notable singers from this time was Tibereh Tesfahuney.

“Subsequently, for 15 years following its formation, the association contributed immensely to the sustenance of some of the Eritrean traditional music. At the same time, Mat’A introduced modern musical instruments, particularly to the Tigrigna and Tigre songs, giving rise to some brilliant and timeless musical arrangements. The blending of modern > instruments and traditional Eritrean musical instruments in many Eritrean songs meant the arrival of a new trend in the development of Eritrean music.” ~ Mewail Weldemichael

Atewebrhan Segid with members of Mat’A

Mat’A band performing

Alemayehu Kahsay (accordion) with Mat’A band members in 1961 (Source New Theatre Auarterly #50)

Mat’A members in traditional outfit with Atewebrhan Segid

Mat’A members in traditional outfit with Memhr Tewolde Reda

Mat’A members performing