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Bolivia: Panpipes

Various Artists
Bolivia: Panpipes French ethnographer Louis Girault recorded this album between 1955 and 1973, often transporting his heavy recording equipment by wheelbarrow or mule. His field recordings were made in the Quechua-speaking communities of the Charazani region and the Aymara-speaking communities of Altiplano, in the province of La Paz. The album contains pre-Columbian songs and dances, including several examples no longer performed today. Archaeological evidence shows that panpipes (antaras and sikus) were not only used in the Andes hundreds of years before the Inca Empire, but were made from a variety of material: reed, stone, ceramic, wood, or even metal. They were often played in complementary pairs of three or four different sizes. The largest siku in an ensemble is called tayca irpa, “the grandmother who leads.” The ensemble playing the final song on this album, “Kacharpaya,” is comprised of 18 sikus and five phuthukas (drums). It is performed to wish a visitor well on their journey home and a swift return.

Track Listing

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101
Yaku Kantu Musicians of the Chari community 03:08
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102
Tika Tika Musicians of the Chari community 02:42
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103
Yuyarikuy Kantu Musicians of the Chari community 02:47
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104
Kacharpaya Kantu Musicians of the Chari community 03:26
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105
Kanchitu Musicians of the Kaalaya community 02:32
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106
Komer Chakra Musicians of the Kaalaya community 02:40
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107
Chakipacha Musicians of the Kaalaya community 02:40
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108
Akamani Musicians of the Kaalaya community 03:41
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109
Baile Chiriwano n/a 01:37
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110
Danza de Los Kunthuris n/a 05:37
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111
Huayno de Los Kunthuris n/a 01:38
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112
Danza Laquita (a: Danza, b: Loas, c: Llano) Farmers of the Karwisa community 11:30
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113
Kacharpaya n/a 02:18