Two words rooted in Ethiopian music and cuisine have entered the Oxford English Dictionary, giving “Azmari” and “berbere” a place in the historical record of the English language.

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia’s cultural vocabulary has gained international linguistic recognition after the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) added the words “Azmari” and “berbere” to its latest collection of entries.

The additions bring two distinctly Ethiopian traditions — the country’s centuries-old culture of musical storytelling and one of the defining flavours of Ethiopian cuisine — into one of the world’s most influential historical dictionaries.

What Does “Azmari” Mean?

The OED traces the English use of “Azmari” back to 1865.

The word describes an Ethiopian poet, singer and musician traditionally known for composing and performing verses spontaneously, often while accompanying the performance with a stringed musical instrument.

It comes from the Amharic word azmari, commonly translated as minstrel or singer.

Azmaris occupy a distinctive place in Ethiopian cultural life. Their performances can combine music, storytelling, humour, social commentary and improvisation, with performers sometimes creating verses about members of the audience in real time.

The tradition remains particularly associated with azmari bets, traditional entertainment venues where singers and musicians perform for guests.

The word therefore represents more than a type of musician. It reflects a cultural tradition in which oral poetry, music and social commentary intersect.

Berbere Enters the Dictionary

The second Ethiopian word included is “berbere,” one of the most recognizable ingredients in Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking.

The OED records its English usage from 1970 and describes it as a powdered spice mixture commonly containing ingredients such as chilli, coriander, fenugreek, garlic and ginger.

The dictionary traces the term to the Amharic bärbärre and the related Tigrinya bärbärä.

For Ethiopians, however, berbere is far more than an individual spice. The deep-red seasoning is a foundation of dishes ranging from doro wat and siga wat to misir wat, with different households and producers often maintaining their own combinations and preparation methods.

Its inclusion reflects the growing international visibility of Ethiopian cuisine as restaurants, food writers and diaspora communities introduce dishes such as injera, tibs, kitfo and doro wat to audiences around the world.

Part of a Broader East African Vocabulary Expansion

The additions come as the Oxford English Dictionary continues expanding its documentation of English as it is spoken and shaped around the world.

African varieties of English have received increasing attention from OED editors, including words originating in African languages as well as English expressions that have developed distinctive regional meanings.

The latest update also includes Ugandan English terms such as “campuser,” meaning a university student; “detoother,” referring to a person who pursues another mainly for financial benefit; and “muchomo,” a popular grilled or roasted meat snack.

The OED has also included entries describing East African English, Kenyan English, Tanzanian English and Ugandan English, reflecting the distinctive development and wider influence of English varieties across the region.

Why the Additions Matter

The inclusion of words such as Azmari and berbere illustrates how English continuously absorbs vocabulary from languages and cultures with which its speakers interact.

A word does not necessarily become English because its cultural origins disappear. In many cases, the original culture provides the concept for which English speakers adopt the original name.

For Ethiopia, the recognition gives two familiar cultural expressions a place within a dictionary designed to document not only what English words mean, but also where they came from and how their usage developed over time.

From Ethiopia to the Global English Lexicon

The significance is particularly visible in the contrast between the two entries: Azmari represents Ethiopia’s oral and musical tradition, while berbere represents its culinary tradition.

One travels through performances, poetry and music; the other through kitchens, restaurants and food culture. Both demonstrate how Ethiopian cultural concepts are becoming increasingly familiar beyond the country itself.

Their entry into the Oxford English Dictionary does not mark the beginning of their history — both have existed for generations. Instead, it documents their expanding presence in written and spoken English.

For Ethiopians, they may be everyday words. For the English language, they are now part of its recorded history.