A pinkillu, pinkuyllu or pinqullu
(
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 ...
or
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 ...
, Hispanicized spellings ''pincollo, pincuyllo, pingullo, pinquillo'', also ''pinkillo, pinkiyo, pinkullo, pinkuyo'') is a flute found throughout the
Andes
The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
, used primarily in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. It is usually played with one hand, leaving the other one free to accompany oneself on a drum
like the ''
tinya
The tinya ( Quechua)Diccionario Quechua - Español - Quechua, Academía Mayor de la Lengua Quechua, Gobierno Regional Cusco, Cusco 2005 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary) or kirki (Quechua) is a percussion instrument, a small handmade drum of leather whi ...
''. It is used in a variety of public festivals and other kinds of communal ceremonies.
Construction and materials
The ''pinkillu'' can measure in length up to 1 meter 20 cm, and has six finger holes.
It is most commonly made out of cane, but can be made out of bamboo, bone, or tree branches as well. In Peru and Bolivia, sheep and llama nerves are used to tie the instrument together. Among the different kinds there are
''ch'aka pinkillu'' (bone flute), ''qina qina pinkillu'' (cane flute) and ''tupa pinkillu'' (made out of thicker ''tuquru'' cane).
Cultural uses and significance
The ''pinkillu'' has great cultural significance. In the Andes the instrument is played during the early rainy season to celebrate cattle and farming. The ''pinkillu'' is often played in pairs or ensembles during the rainy season and at festivals. In Bolivia it is believed that the ''pinkillu'' made from cane attracts rainfall.
The ''pinkillu'' is moistened with alcohol or water before playing, and are associated with fertility.
See also
*
Andean music
Andean music is a group of styles of music from the Andes region in South America.
Original chants and melodies come from the general area inhabited by Quechuas (originally from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile), Aymaras (originally from Bolivia), ...
*
Qina
Qena ( ar, قنا ' , locally: ; cop, ⲕⲱⲛⲏ ''Konē'') is a city in Upper Egypt, and the capital of the Qena Governorate. Situated on the east bank of the Nile, it was known in antiquity as Kaine (Greek Καινή, meaning "new (city)"; ...
*
Tarka (flute)
The tarka ( Quechua, Aymara: tharqa) is an indigenous flute of the Andes. Usually made of wood, it has 6 finger holes, fipple on mouth end and free hole on distant end.
The tarka is a blockflute, like a recorder, but is comparatively shorter ...
References
External links
Video of a pinkillu builder demonstrating the range of the instrument
End-blown flutes
Bolivian musical instruments
Chilean musical instruments
Andean music
Indigenous South American musical instruments
Peruvian musical instruments
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