The Begena, also known as King David’s harp, is a 10-string box lyre from Ethiopia and Eritrea, traditionally played by both noblemen and women, and is often accompanied by “zema”, a type of spiritual chanting dating back to the time of the 6th century composer, Saint Yared.

“Oral tradition identifies the instrument with the kinnor of Ancient Israel, played by David to soothe King Saul’s nerves and heal him of insomnia, and later brought to Africa by Menelik I.

Its actual origin remains in doubt, though local manuscripts depict the instrument at the beginning of the 15th century AD”

“The begena is used primarily during meditation and prayer. The singer may compose his or her own texts or they may be taken from Christian religious texts.”