Zenebe Senbeto - Ethiopian Gospel Music

Zenebe Senbeto Gumano [ዘነበ ሰንበቶ] was born in Turayite village, Karat Town, Konso Zone, South Ethiopia Region, in 1989. In 2002, he became sick and went to a health center for treatment. However, he was wrongly treated, went blind, and dropped out of school for six years. During that time, he received the Lord and began to compose gospel songs miraculously. Instead of being confined in the house, Zenebe joined a choir to serve God with gospel songs. Due to his singing talent, a church supported him in going to Addis Ababa to record his first album in 2008.

Zenebe said, “Even if my outside eyes are blind, my inner eyes are bright.” In Addis Ababa, he inquired about a school where he could continue his schooling. A man named Solomon Soka promised him that he could stay in Addis Ababa and study until grade 12. Having graduated from Preparatory School with honors, Zenebe studied at Dilla University and graduated with a BA in Sociology in 2015. Besides his university education, he studied theology and transformational leadership and served as the students’ council president.

After graduating from university, Zenebe worked in governmental and non-governmental organizations. Now he works in the office for women, children, and youth of the Karat and Surroundings District, and also advocates and helps people with disabilities.

Until 2014, Zenebe Senbeto released Konso gospel song videos in the Konso language, accompanied by Amharic subtitles. The songs include “See forward,” “God is great,” “The gift of the Cross,” “Get reconciled,” “Add on,” and “All things will be well.” Together with his wife, he then released an album titled “We stand for the Gospel.”