Kantu or k'antu is an ancient style of music and

circle dance Circle dance, or chain dance, is a style of social dance done in a circle, semicircle or a curved line to musical accompaniment, such as rhythm instruments and singing, and is a type of dance where anyone can join in without the need of part ...

which is widespread since incaic or even preincaic epoch on the

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 ...

vian and

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 ...

n highlands. Modern versions of this style still use the

Quechua Quechua may refer to: *Quechua people, several indigenous ethnic groups in South America, especially in Peru *Quechuan languages, a Native South American language family spoken primarily in the Andes, derived from a common ancestral language **So ...

Aymara Aymara may refer to: Languages and people * Aymaran languages, the second most widespread Andean language ** Aymara language, the main language within that family ** Central Aymara, the other surviving branch of the Aymara(n) family, which today ...

language and the siku (ceremonial panpipe). Some musicologists argue that the name for this style comes from the Spanish word 'canto' meaning 'song.' Linguists might argue that the name comes from the Quechua word 'k'antu' which is a widely known flower in Bolivia. Also, ''k'antu'' may be a word of extinct

Puquina Puquina (or Pukina) is a small, putative language family, often portrayed as a language isolate, which consists of the extinct Puquina language and Kallawaya, although it is assumed that the latter is just a remnant of the former mixed with Qu ...

language with unknown meaning.

Dancing

K'antu is a

, but some women and men also dance in pairs inside or outside of the circle.

Resources

For recorded version of the k'antu songs, please refer to ''Worlds of Music'' listed as a reference.

Some examples

There is a variety of bands who play the Kantu style, such as: *

Los Kjarkas Los Kjarkas is a Bolivian band from the Capinota province in the department of Cochabamba, and one of the most popular Andean folk music bands in the country's history. Among the styles they play are Saya, tuntuna, huayno, and carnavales. The ...

Inkuyo Inkuyo is a multicultural musical ensemble that performs Andean music arranged by Gonzalo Vargas. Vargas is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and record producer. He founded Inkuyo with Pamela Darington, Jorge Tapia, and Omar Sepulveda i ...

Bolivia Manta Bolivia Manta is a Bolivian group created in France in 1977 by Carlos and Julio Arguedas who perform traditional music of pre-Hispanic and contemporary music of the Andes, particularly that of the Aymara and Quechua speaking people of Bolivia a ...

Grupo Aymara Grupo Aymara are a Bolivian folk troupe that have been acclaimed worldwide for its inspiring interpretations of traditional music of pre-Hispanic and contemporary music of the Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are ...

Awatiñas The Awatiñas are a Bolivian folk music group begun in the 1970s by Mario Conde. Their ballads are mostly sung in Spanish and Aymara. They are popular across much of Latin America and have a substantial following in parts of Europe, Asia, and North ...

* Markasata *

K'antu Ensemble Kantu or k'antu is an ancient style of music and circle dance which is widespread since incaic or even preincaic epoch on the Peruvian and Bolivian highlands. Modern versions of this style still use the Quechua or Aymara language and the siku ...

an award-winning ensemble from Birmingham

References

Andean music Bolivian music Peruvian music Circle dances Panpipes Native American dances {{music-genre-stub