Harawi is an ancient traditional genre of Andean music and also indigenous lyric poetry. ''Harawi'' was widespread in the

Inca Empire The Inca Empire (also known as the Incan Empire and the Inka Empire), called ''Tawantinsuyu'' by its subjects, (Quechua for the "Realm of the Four Parts", "four parts together" ) was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The admin ...

and now is especially common in countries that were part of it, mainly:

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

. Typically, ''harawi'' is a moody, soulful slow and melodic song or tune played on the quena (flute). The words of ''harawi'' speak of love (often unrequited), plight of ordinary peasant, privations of orphans, etc. Melodies are mainly in

minor pentatonic scale Minor may refer to: * Minor (law), a person under the age of certain legal activities. ** A person who has not reached the age of majority * Academic minor, a secondary field of study in undergraduate education Music theory * Minor chord ** Bar ...

History

The first recorded ''harawi'' lyrics related to the Inca era. Some of the extant songs may also have the same age. Later, ''harawi'' became the basis for the mestizo genre ''yaravi''.

"Harawi language"

In Andean villages, there is still a tradition: a man, in love with a woman, expresses his feelings for her by playing one of many well-known "harawis" on the flute, not far from her house. She recognizes the melody and remembers words of this song to understand the feelings men experience.

References

{{music-genre-stub Inca Andean music Bolivian music Peruvian folk music Peruvian literature Bolivian literature