By: Malaika Girma
Adane Asnake Mamo is a remarkable individual with a diverse range of talents and passions. Coming from the city of Arba Minch in the southwest of Ethiopia, Adane grew up in a bustling household alongside 11 siblings and two cousins. As the second eldest child, he shouldered the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings and cousins. Adane's upbringing was unique, as he was raised by his grandparents and parents, all living together with animals such as cows, goats, dogs, and cats in one small tukul.
A growing love for teaching.
Interestingly, this crowded living condition gave Adane a deep appreciation for teaching. Adane found joy in teaching and nurturing his younger siblings. "I taught them different things and I understood their needs when they were crying," he recalls. "I believe that this is where my love for teaching developed."
An appreciation for education.
Adane's father was a teacher, a farmer, a security guard, a preacher, and even a soldier. Despite his many occupations, Adane's father had one overriding goal: to provide his children with a good education and a secure future. Adane grew up in a family that struggled financially, and his father knew that education was the only way to turn his childrens’ lives around. What his father lacked in material wealth, he made up for in dedication and hard work. He would help all his children with their homework, and even go to their schools to talk to their teachers. "Back in that time, people did not go to school just to check on their child's progress," Adane explains. Thanks to their father's tireless efforts, each one of Adane's siblings went on to earn multiple degrees, masters, and PhDs. Adane himself has one degree and three masters. Adane recalls, "Other than an education, my father felt that he couldn't offer us anything that could secure our future. But, he taught us many important things." Apart from his appreciation for education, Adane's father passed on his love for music, which Adane carried with him throughout his life. It was this love for music, combined with his passion for teaching, that would eventually lead Adane down a path of success and fulfillment.
A growing love for music.
Just like his love for teaching, Adane's passion for music was instilled by his family, who valued music as an integral part of their daily lives. Every night, the entire family would gather together to sing and play music before going to bed. "My siblings and I would all fight about who was going to play the instruments," Adane recalled with a smile. Despite their limited financial resources, Adane's family was determined to make music a part of their lives. They couldn't afford to buy instruments, so they made them out of bamboo and other materials they could find. Adane became a master at making traditional flutes out of bamboo sticks, and even made Kirars. Music was not just a hobby for Adane's family, it was a way of life. Everyone, from his grandparents to his youngest siblings, could play at least one instrument. This shared love for music brought the family together, creating a bond during difficult times.
For Adane, the joy of making music with his family was a formative experience, and it wasn't until the moment Adane watched his father play the church organ, that something inside him shifted. Mesmerized by his father's fingers as they danced across the keys, Adane knew that he had found his calling. Before this moment, Adane had entertained many different professions, from metal worker to historian to runner. It was only when he watched his father play the organ that he realized his true passion lay in music. Remarkably, Adane's father had supported him in each of his different pursuits. When Adane wanted to be a historian, his father bought him multiple books on history. When he wanted to be a runner, his father encouraged him. It was only when Adane had a close encounter with a python on one of his 10k runs that his father forbade him from ever running again. With the support of his father, Adane threw himself into his music, honing his skills and perfecting his craft. For Adane, the moment he discovered his intense love for music was nothing short of life-changing.
Moving to Addis.
After graduating from high school, Adane knew that he had to move to Addis Ababa if he wanted to pursue his dream of studying music, as it was the only city in Ethiopia that had a college with a music program. At the music department of Addis Ababa University, Adane immersed himself in his studies, learning how to compose music and play a wide variety of instruments. Today, he can play more than 19 instruments, a testament to his dedication and hard work. But Adane's passion for music was not limited to his own pursuits. While in his second year at the university, he got a job teaching music to college students at a teacher training college. At first, he found it challenging to connect with his students. But it was this experience that made him realize that his true calling was in teaching music to children, not adults. After graduating from the university, Adane landed a job teaching music at an international school in Addis Ababa. He worked there for eight years before moving on to another international school, where he continues to inspire and educate young minds.
A music perspective.
For Adane, music is not just a skill, it's a way of life. As a musician and music teacher, Adane has a deep understanding of the power of music to shape one’s lives and the world around them. “I believe that music is not just an art form, but a science that teaches important lessons about time, dynamics, and patterns that can be applied to everyday life,” said Adane. Playing music requires a sense of timing and awareness of the dynamics of the piece. If you're not in time or playing too loud or too soft, you can ruin the entire song. Similarly, in life, there are times when we need to be loud and assertive, and other times when we need to be quiet and introspective. “Music teaches us the importance of balancing these dynamics in order to create harmony and balance in our lives,” Adane said.
Music is also full of patterns, and these patterns can be seen in all areas of life. Just as there are patterns in music, there are patterns in nature, in human behavior, and in our daily routines. Recognizing and understanding these patterns can help us make sense of the world around us and navigate it more effectively.
“Music can also be a powerful tool for creating positive change in the world,” Adane adds. Adane worked with different organizations such as WSG, an organization that works with street children, and New life, an organization that works with prostitutes. Adane raised money for these organizations by selling his music (which he wrote about issues the organizations addressed) and preparing concerts. Many of his songs were published and were on the radio for a couple of years.
A view of Addis.
“Although I may not be from Addis Ababa,” says Adane, “this is where I started the second chapter of my life and became who I am.” Adane got married in Addis, had his children in Addis, and ofcourse, started his career in Addis. “This city gave me a lot of what I have now, and that is what makes it beautiful: its potential to turn your life around.”