Sam and Worq in Amharic (Ethiopian) Language Means Gold and Wax in English. You can write or speak in Sam and Worq only in Amharic and Geez languages which are pretty much the same and inseparable. The Sam is the literal or vivid meaning of the poem or the sentence while the Gold is a hidden message from the listeners. The Gold is usually hidden inside a sentence or a poem (GIXIM).

The wax is that particular word where the Gold is hidden so that all people cannot easily find or understand the real meaning of the message. Ethiopian Azmaris sing Gold and Wax songs using the indigenous musical instrument called Masinko (ሰምና ወርቅ አዝማሪና ማሲንቆ)::

Azmari songs are popular and very much loved not only by Ethiopians but also by tourists and other communities around the world. One of the unique features of Azmari’s songs using Masinqo is the chance of the listeners to participate in the entertainment process by contributing Sam and Worq or any ordinary poem.

The Poem or sentence can change its meaning by joining, separating or by changing the pronunciation or the accent of a word so as to have two or more different meanings within one and the same word.

Wax and Gold in Amharic is a unique way of creating two or more than two meanings in one sentence, poem or even in someone’s day to day communication with friends and guests. Only very few brilliant people can identify a well hidden Gold or the real meaning of a Sam and Worq speech. For some people it takes long time to find the Gold (worq). It is also common to use Metaphor (Figurative) and literal speeches in Amharic language so as to create different impressions and to explain specific situations.