In the sea of painful panpipe compilations (think: Romantic Classics a la Panpipe, The Best Andean Relaxation Album EVER, etc,) finding the truly authentic music of the Andes can be a taxing job. However, the Instituto Taki, founded by 53 year old maestro Kike Pinto, offers an unrivalled insight into the genuine folkloric traditions of the region.

Pinto has been collecting musical instruments for over 35 years, travelling across the country, interviewing craftsmen and musicians while learning about ceremonies, customs, dances and tunes. The museum’s collection of instruments now counts over 400 pieces, many incredibly rare and no longer produced, such as panpipes constructed from condor bones and traditional instruments made from horns.

Alongside the museum’s collection, Pinto works to promote and expand indigenous music in the community through lectures, workshops, concerts and cultural events. The music, which was traditionally passed from generation to generation orally, has never been written down or recorded. Pinto compiled, played and recorded the album Wifala, a collection of folkloric songs played on the museum’s own instruments. The album included traditional Huaynos from the Peruvian highlands, ceremonial rain dances and folkloric songs from across the country, such as an Amazonian wedding song and an Incan Ceremonial Sewing Song from Cusco played on shell trumpets. According to his myspace, he is also currently working on a new recording along the same lines.

The key to the survival of this precious musical knowledge is its transition to the younger generation. Cusco’s incredible history and the archaeological richness of the surrounding valleys is increasingly accessible to tourists. While this has brought economic benefits to the region, it has also brought increased exposure to the outside world, increasing the risk that indigenous traditions, including musical traditions, will be lost. The foundation is trying to rekindle young peoples interest in their ancestral heritage, by, for example, offering opportunities to learn long forgotten instruments and songs. Promoting an interest in the indigenous music of the region to the wider world may also help to keep it alive.

Pinto’s work at the Taki museum deserves wider exposure; it captures the rich musical culture of the Andes and the diverse indigenous history of Peru. Instituto Taki is on Hatunrumiyoq St 487-5, Cusco, Peru.

http://takimuseum.org/

Photo is Kike Pinto playing Condor Feathers Panpipe in Taki