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Ethiopian Music Modes (Kiñit)

Ethiopian music uses a modal system called Kiñit. The four main modes are: Tizita, Bati, Ambassel, and Anchihoye.

Published onJul 16, 2022
Ethiopian Music Modes (Kiñit)
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Tizita

Tizita is a very commonly used kiñit.1 It has a major as well has a minor version. Although Tizita major is the same as the major pentatonic scale, Tizita minor is not the same as the minor pentatonic scale.

Tizita Major: C - D - E - G - A. This is a major 2nd, major 2nd, minor 3rd, major 2nd, and a minor 3rd.

Tizita Major scale

Tizita Minor: C - D - Eb - G - Ab. This is a major 2nd, minor 2nd, major 3rd, minor 2nd, and a major 3rd.

To get Tizita Minor flatten the 3rd and 5th notes in the scale.

Therefore, Tizita Minor is 1, 2, b3, 4, b5.

Tizita Minor scale

“Tizita” by Nebeyu Tesfaye. Tiizita major and minor are featured in this classic instrumental.

Bati

Bati also has a major and a minor version.2

Bati Major: C - E - F - G - B. This is a major 3rd, minor 2nd, major 2nd, major 3rd, and minor 2nd.

Bati Major scale

Bati Minor: C - Eb - F - G - Bb. This is a major 3rd, major 2nd, major 2nd, minor 3rd, and major 2nd.

To get to Bati minor flatten the 2nd and 5th.

And so, Bati minor is as follows: 1, b2, 3, 4, b5

Bati Minor scale

Other versions of Bati augment the major and minor modes with raised 3rd, 4th, and 5th notes.

Bati (Lydian) with raised 3rd.

Bati Minor with raised 4th.

Bati Major with raised 5th.

“Ye Bati Koyeta”, Samuel Yirga.

Bati Instrumental by Yishak Banjaw.

Bati major in F#

Girma Yifrashewa, Sememen. Bati major with raised 5th.

Ambassel

There are two main types of ambassel. The first one is the most widely used, while the second one is not as common.

Ambassel: C - Db - F - G - Ab. This is a minor 2nd, major 3rd, major 2nd, minor 2nd, and major 3rd.

Ambassel

Ambassel type 2: C - D - F - G - A. This is a major 2nd, minor 3rd, major 2nd, major 2nd, and minor 3rd. This scale is known to the rest of the world as the Mixolydian pentatonic scale, which is the 4th mode of the major pentatonic scale.

Ambassel (Mixolydian pentatonic)

Anchihoye

There are several types of anchihoye kiñits used.3 However, there is one that is the most commonly used.

Anchihoye: C - Db - F - Gb - A. This is a minor 2nd, major 3rd, minor 2nd, minor 3rd, and a minor 3rd.

Anchihoye Kiñit

There are also a few other ancihoye kiñits used. The main other three are all modes of the major pentatonic scale.

Mixolydian pentatonic: C - D - F - G - A. This is the scale in the Ambassel section above (Ambassel type 2). Some musicians associate it with Ambassel, while others associate it with Anchihoye.

Yematebela Wofe: C - D - F - G - Bb. This is a major 2nd, minor 3rd, major 2nd, minor 3rd, and a major 2nd. This scale is the same scale that we know of as the Dorian pentatonic scale.

Shegaye: C - Eb - F - Ab - Bb. This is a minor 3rd, major 2nd, minor 3rd, major 2nd, and a major 2nd. This scale is the same scale that we know of as the Phrygian pentatonic scale.

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