Abraham Afewerki: Difference between revisions

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{{Hatnote|In this [[Eritrean name]], the name Afewerki is a [[patronymic]], and the person should be referred by the [[given name]], Abraham.}}

{{Infobox musical artist

|Name name = Abraham Afewerki

| native_name = ኣብርሃም ኣፈወርቂ

|Img = AbrahamAfeworki.jpg

| native_name_lang = ti

|Img_capt = Abraham Afewerki in 2006

|Img image = AbrahamAfeworkiAbrahamAfewerki.jpgpng

|Birth_name = Abraham Afewerki

|Img_capt caption = Abraham Afewerkidining at ina 2006Cafe

|Genre = [[Tigrigna]]

|Born birth_date = {{birth date|1966|01|30|df= [[1966]]y}}

|Died birth_place = [[2006-10-07Asmara]], [[Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopia]]

| death_date = {{death date and age|2006|10|07|1966|01|30|df=y}}

|Origin = [[Asmara]], [[Eritrea]]

|Years_active death_place = [[1979]]-[[2006Massawa]], Eritrea

| years_active = 1979–2006

|Label = [[Virgin Records]], [[Negarit Productions]]

|Origin genre = [[Asmara]],Music of [[Eritrea|Eritrean]]

|Notable_Albums = Semai (2006), Mistir FiQri (1998), Tesfa'iya SinQey (1994)

|Label label = [[Virgin Records]], [[Negarit Productions]]

|Notable_Songs = "Semai", "Meley", "Errena", "Hilina"

|URL website = http://www.negarit.com}}

}}

'''Abraham Afewerki''', ([[1966]]{{langx|ti|ኣብርሃም inኣፈወርቂ}}) [[Asmara]] -[[2006]](30 nearJanuary the1966 [[Dahlak– Islands]]7 October 2006) was an [[Eritrea]]nEritrean singer/, songwriter, and music producer. HeNoted diedfor inhis anunique accident[[Tigrinya onlanguage|Tigrinya]]-based Dahlakcompositions Islandsand lyrics, inhe was one of the [[Redmost Sea]]recognized infigures Octoberamong 2006Eritrean musicians and celebrities and also the world.

==BiographyEarly life==

Abraham Afewerki was born in 1966 in Asmara. During the [[Eritrean War of Independence]], Abraham and his family fled the fighting and lived as refugees in [[Sudan]]. He was interested in music from an early age, taking up the [[harmonica]]. Abraham joined the [[Eritrean People's Liberation Front]] (EPLF) at the age of 12, as a member of a cultural troupe which toured areas controlled by the EPLF. He began writing his own songs and music regarding the war, performing them from 1979 onwards.{{sfn |Akyeampong|Gates| 2012| p=49}}

Abraham Afewerki is described as an Eritrean musical [[tour-de-force]]. Held in high regard by his fellow Eritrean artists his work garners appreciation and admiration from his peers. His musical influence also crosses borders to Eritrea’s neighboring countries where his music is reproduced by other musicians singing in a different language other than his native [[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]].

Abraham moved to Italy, where he learned to play the [[krar]] and continued to write songs in the theme of Eritrean nationalism. After several years, he moved to the United States where he studied for a [[bachelor's degree]] with honours.{{sfn |Akyeampong|Gates| 2012| p=49}}

From an early age Abraham was fascinated with musical instruments and by age nine had learned to play a musical instrument independently. Due to the [[Eritrean War of Independence]] Abraham, with his family, fled to [[Sudan]] and soon after to [[Italy]] where he further pursued his dream to be a professional musician. While studying in [[Rome]], Abraham continued to expand his musical skills by working with internationally known musical celebrities in live performances as well as recordings.{{fact}}

==Music career==

Abraham’s first CD, Wegahta, was released in 1991, which was produced and distributed by [[Virgin Records]] in Europe. The album was the first by an Eritrean artist that was produced by an International recording company and made available to the global audience. Abraham’s music, in due course, was covered by a number of International media outlets.

Abraham’s first release, ''Wegahta'' (''Dawn''), was released in 1991. During the following 15 years, Abraham released two more albums which further propelled his popularity among Eritreans. His songs were popular because his lyrics expressed strong and poetic images of Eritrea’s culture. His sociallysong conscious"Abzelena wordsHalina" were("Wherever evocativeWe andAre") hisbecame fansgreatly oftenpopular describedin hisEritrea musicand asthe inspiring.world; Abrahamhis issocially alsoconscious creditedwords withand beingevocative onelyrics talked of Eritrea’sthe masterbravery liveof entertainersthe nation.{{sfn |Akyeampong|Gates| 2012| p=49}}

In his newestfinal CDrelease, titledentitled Semai ("Sky" in Tigrinya), Abraham collaborates with several Eritrean musicians, the result of which was an exquisite sound. Abraham continued to blend his music with [[jazz]], [[R&B]], and [[Reggae]] rhythms at the same time maintaining his music’s originality and authenticity. One song from the album, "Semay Deretey Iyu" ("The Sky Is My Limit"), has become one of the popular songs in Eritrea.{{sfn |Akyeampong|Gates| 2012| p=50}}

During the following 15 years Abraham released two more albums which further propelled his popularity among Eritreans. His songs were popular because his lyrics expressed strong and poetic images of Eritrea’s culture. His socially conscious words were evocative and his fans often described his music as inspiring. Abraham is also credited with being one of Eritrea’s master live entertainers.

==Death==

In his newest CD titled Semai ("Sky" in Tigrinya), Abraham collaborates with several Eritrean musicians, the result of which was an exquisite sound. Abraham continued to blend his music with [[jazz]], [[R&B]], and [[Reggae]] rhythms at the same time maintaining his music’s originality and authenticity.

AbrahamIn Afewerki2006, isAbraham describeddrowned asin anthe Eritrean[[Red musicalSea]] near [[tour-de-forceMassawa]]. HeldHe had returned to Eritrea to produce a film musical.{{sfn |Akyeampong|Gates| 2012| p=50}} Posthumously, Abraham continues to be held in high regard by his fellow Eritrean artists, hiswho workbear garnersmuch appreciation and admiration from his peersrespect. His musical influence has also crosses bordersspread to Eritrea’s neighboring countriesEthiopia where his music is reproduced by other musicians singing in a different language other than his native [[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]].{{sfn |Akyeampong|Gates| 2012| p=50}}

While still continuing his progress in music, the multi-faceted artist, who was residing in the USA, had managed to obtain a BS degree in MIS, graduating with honors. Abraham, undoubtdly one of the greatest artist and stage performer, will be deeply missed by his countless fans, friends and families.

==AlbumsDiscography==

So far he hasHe released 3 officialthe cassettesfollowing (albums) in Eritrea:

*1991: "''Wegahta"'' (Dawn or Sunrise) - 1991

*1994: "''Tesfa'iya snqey"'' (Hope is my supply or kittreasure) - 1994

*1998: "''MsTir fQri"'' (Secret of Love) - 1998

*2000: ''Hadera'' (Promise)

* "semai" (Sky - aka The Sky is My Limit ) - 2006

*2006: ''Semai'' (Sky)

==Notes==

[[Category:Eritrean singers]]

{{reflist|30em}}

[[Category:1968 births|Afewerki]]

[[Category:2006 deaths|Afewerki]]

==References==

{{refbegin}}

*{{cite book|last1=Akyeampong|first1=Emmanuel Kwaku|last2=Gates|first2=Henry Louis|title=Dictionary of African Biography|date=2012|publisher=Oxford University Press|___location=Oxford|volume=6|isbn=978-0-195382-075}}

{{refend}}

==External links==

*{{URL|www.facebook.com/pages/Abraham-Afeworki/58623331417}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Afewerki, Abraham}}

[[Category:19681966 births|Afewerki]]

[[Category:2006 deaths|Afewerki]]

[[Category:People from Asmara]]

[[Category:20th-century Eritrean male singers]]

[[Category:Deaths by drowning]]

[[Category:Accidental deaths in Eritrea]]

[[Category:21st-century Eritrean male singers]]

[[Category:Krar players]]

[[Category:Eritrean expatriates in Italy]]

[[Category:Eritrean expatriates in the United States]]