Walking home from dinner, our group stumbled into a "bar" in Gonder featuring praise singing. In the "bar", which resembled someone's basement in size and lighting, traditional drums pounded rhythmically and the singer would come to your section/couch and serenade and, ostensibly, praise you with a powerful, soulful voice in Ahmaric while a man played a violin type instrument (more like a fiddle actually). While singing, the performer would dance with you, which involved shoulder-shaking, neck rolls, and other assorted moves a farangi couldn't perform ... afterwards, you'd put a bill on her forehead as thanks. It was a grand time. Paddy, the irishman in our group, stole the show with his moves. Check out the video - it's pretty dark but you can discern some dancing. Just hearing the music is worth it.
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