Alemu Aga, an Ethiopian musician, singer, and master of Begena, decided to give up his teaching post in 1980, when the Derg military junta came to power in Ethiopia in 1974.
Alemu Aga (Amharic:  ; born 1950) is an Ethiopian musician, singer, and master of Begena. In 1974, however, the Derg military junta came to power in Ethiopia; their anti-religious policies also included the banning of the begena from radio broadcasts, and the closing down of the Yared School's teaching of the instrument. As a result, Alemu Aga decided to give up his teaching post in 1980, and opened a shop in Addis Ababa Piazza district. 
