When in Cusco, you’ll find sikus and quenas, as well as other traditional instruments (such as the charango) at many handicraft stores and markets. At parties, the sikuris also prompt energetic traditional dances, in which Cusqueños partygoers enthusiastically participate. The experience of the sikuri is simply captivating- the powerful chants and pounding drums combine with the wistful melodies of flutes and panpipes in such a way that one feels transported back to ancient times. Still today, the culminating moments of many celebrations and parties is the entrance of the sikuris, who march into the festivity chanting and playing the traditional songs. The musical style known as sikuri is based on these instruments. Sikus and bombs accompany the most traditional dance groups at the Festival of the Virgen de Candelaria in Puno, at Cusco’s Inti Raymi Festival, and at the pilgrimage of Q’oyllur Riti, the Ice Star.
Andean flute music skin#
Andean musicĪndean music is played at religious festivities , holiday celebrations and pilgrimages across the Andean region.Īlthough brass bands have recently become popular at such celebrations, the most traditional musical sounds are created by groups playing panpipes, bamboo flutes ( quenas) and skin drums ( bombos). Well-known Andean musical groups, such as Inti-Illimani, Los Kjarkas and Punos’ Sikuris del Barrio Mañazo have perfected panpipe music to an exquisite level. This last style creates a natural stereophonic sound that is fascinating to hear and to watch. However, expert duos of players also play siku melodies in perfect alternation, which takes great coordination, and healthy sets of lungs. Most often, two rows of different notes are tied together, which played alternately cover a diatonic scale. The longest panpipes, toyas, can be up to four feet or longer. Sikus average about 13 pipes, but can have more or less notes. Bamboo tubes (or pipes) of different lengths, closed at one end, are tied together with plant fibers in a tight row. Today, sikus are made of different varieties of bamboo, each providing different tonal qualities. In Andean pre-history, pan flutes were made from bones, condor feathers, clay and other materials, but bamboo became the material of choice. Additionally, different-sized sikus (and there are at least four sizes) have their own names. In general, the panpipe is known in Aymara language as the siku. In Quechua as antara and in Spanish it is also known as zampoña. The Andean pan flute has many shapes, sizes and tunings, and each has its own name. It is said that early Andean shepherdesses would walk the mountain slopes playing their panpipes to attract their goats. Most likely, the Andean panpipe first developed among the Aymara cultures of the Lake Titicaca region, and spread from there to other regions, where it took on diverse designs and sizes. an instrument known and played across the Andes since ancient times. If any sound captures the essence of Andean culture , it is the sweet tones of the panpipe (or pan flute ).
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