ABSTRACT
The Beta Israel band of Porachat Ha Tikva ('Blossoming Hope') is based in the area of Petach Tikva, about half an hour's bus journey from Tel Aviv. Its members are Amharic-speaking and mostly from the Gondar region in Ethiopia, The Municipality of Petach Tikva, like municipalities generally in Israel, encourages, and to some extent supports, a number of 'folklore' music groups from different ethnic groups, including the band of Porachat Ha Tikva. It was as a member of this band, rehearsing, performing, celebrating and socialising, that I spent ten months of my fieldwork. The other band members, concerned that it would be boring for me simply to sit and watch, expected me to participate from the start.
