17 Facts About Bereket Mengisteab

Bereket Mengisteab is an Eritrean songwriter, composer and singer.

Bereket Mengisteab spent his early life in the village farming, where he taught himself to play the krar and took part in musical events that were part of the local area's culture.

Bereket Mengisteab moved to Asmara for a few years, where his musical performances were limited to his friends.

Bereket Mengisteab remained with the orchestra for over a decade and performed with them across Ethiopia, as well as in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, at the 1966 Festival mondial des Arts Negres in Senegal, and at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

Bereket Mengisteab recorded his first nine singles during this period, all for the Philips label.

Bereket Mengisteab left the orchestra in 1973, a year before Haile Selassie was deposed by the "Derg" led by Mengistu Haile Mariam.

Bereket Mengisteab formed his own group in Addis Ababa called Megaleh Guayla.

In 1974, Bereket Mengisteab joined the Eritrean Liberation Front to fight for Eritrean independence.

Bereket Mengisteab received military training and fought in the mountains of Eritrea.

Bereket Mengisteab was one of several experienced artists who contributed to the ELF's sociocultural and political transformation, as well as to nationalist propaganda efforts.

Bereket Mengisteab performed revolutionary songs, nationalist anthems, and ballads in military camps and villages.

Bereket Mengisteab moved to Jeddah in 1979, where he remained for ten years.

Bereket Mengisteab recorded ten cassettes during his time in Jeddah.

In 1993, when Eritrea declared its independence and gained international recognition, Bereket Mengisteab was invited to tour the country and performed in Massawa, Keren, and Asmara.

Bereket Mengisteab left Jeddah and moved back to Addis Ababa to re-open his music shop with his wife.

Since moving to Asmara, Bereket Mengisteab has continued to compose and perform music.

Bereket Mengisteab has toured and released about one new cassette each year.