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The Ethiopian krar is a five- or six-string lyre that is either plucked with the fingers or strummed with a plectrum and is tuned in the pentatonic (five-tone) scale. It is one of the oldest stringed instruments in the world and is the principal instrument of the Azmari people, who believe it has bewitching powers. The krar is played solo, as accompaniment to singing or storytelling, or as part of ensembles featuring flutes and drums. Historically, the krar was played by wandering poet/musicians who performed at births and weddings or composed praise songs about women.
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