The Story of Saint Yared and the Birth of Ethiopian Music
In the 6th century, a young boy named Yared was sent to study at the holy city of Axum. But he was a slow learner and often ran away to play in the fields. One day, while hiding under a tree, Yared saw a caterpillar climbing a stalk. The caterpillar fell but climbed again — and again — until it reached the top. Inspired by its perseverance, Yared returned to his studies with renewed dedication. He mastered the scriptures and became a deacon in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. One day, while praying, Yared received divine inspiration and created the five-note scale system (zema) that became the f