Ethiopia’s pioneer pianist Woman Dies at her 99
The first Ethiopian violin and piano composer commonly known as “Queen of the piano” Imahoi Tsigemariam Gebru Dies.
Imahoy Tsigemaryam was born in Addis Ababa in 1916 to her father Mr. Gebru Desita and her mother Mrs. Kasaye Letu.
She studied piano in Switzerland and she was the first pianist in the history of modern Ethiopia.
At the age of 19 after school, she went to Wolo Gishen Mariam Monastery and at the age of 21, she accepted monasticism.
The name given to them by their parents is Yewubdar, and after she accepted monasticism her name was changed to Emmahoi Tsigemariam.
Since 1984, she have lived in Jerusalem Israel, which is called the “Holy City” by Christians.
Her father, Gebur Desita, was the mayor of Addis Ababa and her family history explains that he served as the Speaker of the Parliament during Emperor Haile Selassie’s reign.
Imahoi Maryam was fluent in English, German, Hebrew, Amharic and Geez and she also used the money she got from performing her various musical works to help the poor.
