Esuwa, Harakbut sung prayers of Peru’s Wachiperi people

Overview

The Wachiperi are an indigenous ethnic group speaking the Harakbut language and living in Peru’s southern Amazon tropical forest. The Esuwa or sung prayer is an expression of Wachiperi religious myths, performed for healing or as part of traditional ceremonies such as the drinking of masato, a traditional beverage made of fermented manioc, and the initiation of new Esuwa singers. According to oral tradition, the Esuwa songs were learned directly from the forest’s animals, and are sung to summon nature spirits to help to alleviate illness or discomfort or promote well-being. Esuwa songs are performed without musical instruments and sung only in the Harakbut language. As such they play a key role in safeguarding the language and preserving the group’s values and worldview. Transmission takes place orally, with the singer teaching apprentices the specific function of each song according to the ailment it is meant to heal. Esuwa songs are at the risk of being lost, however, since transmission has been interrupted due to lack of interest on the part of Wachiperi youth, recent internal migration and the influence and assimilation of external cultural elements. At present, there are only twelve known singers among the Wachiperi.

Domains

Details

Country

Peru

Inscribed

2011

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Urgent Safeguarding List

Reference

531