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A (very!) Brief History of the Quechua
A (very!) Brief History of the Quechua
'Quechua' is an umbrella term for several indigenous ethnic groups across the Andes who share the Quechua language and cultural heritage.
'Quechua' is an umbrella term for several indigenous ethnic groups across the Andes who share the Quechua language and cultural heritage.
The Quechua were descendants of the first humans to reach South America. As part of the wider Human global migration, over the course of 150,000 years, groups of humans made their way across the Middle East, Southern, Central and East Asia, before crossing into North America, then down into South America. The region began to be populated with humans approximately 14,000 years ago :
The Quechua were descendants of the first humans to reach South America. As part of the wider Human global migration, over the course of 150,000 years, groups of humans made their way across the Middle East, Southern, Central and East Asia, before crossing into North America, then down into South America. The region began to be populated with humans approximately 14,000 years ago :
S Wilkinson. PhysicsScotland
The earliest settlers of this region (known as the Chinchorro) followed a semi-nomadic life of hunter-gathering, hunting mostly along the coasts but at times moving into the much more arid interior.
The earliest settlers of this region (known as the Chinchorro) followed a semi-nomadic life of hunter-gathering, hunting mostly along the coasts but at times moving into the much more arid interior.
The first true cultural centre was built up around the Chavín people in approximately 900 BCE. Unlike earlier isolated settlements, the Chavín created a religion that spread rapidly across the highlands and the coast. Their spiritual epicentre was the massive temple complex at Chavín de Huántar, located high in the Andes mountains.
The first true cultural centre was built up around the Chavín people in approximately 900 BCE. Unlike earlier isolated settlements, the Chavín created a religion that spread rapidly across the highlands and the coast. Their spiritual epicentre was the massive temple complex at Chavín de Huántar, located high in the Andes mountains.
Over the next 2,000 years, a series of progressively more culturally and technologically skilled peoples rose and fell, culminating with the expansion of the Inca out of the area around modern-day Cuzco in 1438 CE.
Over the next 2,000 years, a series of progressively more culturally and technologically skilled peoples rose and fell, culminating with the expansion of the Inca out of the area around modern-day Cuzco in 1438 CE.
At its height, the Inca Empire covered huge parts of South America, west of the Andes. The Inca Empire was a highly structured, moneyless society where survival in the harsh Andes relied on collective labour (mit'a) and strict reciprocity rather than individual wealth. Ruled by a divine emperor, daily life was anchored in the ayllu (extended community) and governed by a simple moral code: do not steal, lie, or be lazy. Their culture was deeply animistic, treating the landscape itself as a living entity, which inspired them to harmonise with their highly mountainous environment through masterful, earthquake-resistant stonemasonry and vast agricultural terracing.
At its height, the Inca Empire covered huge parts of South America, west of the Andes. The Inca Empire was a highly structured, moneyless society where survival in the harsh Andes relied on collective labour (mit'a) and strict reciprocity rather than individual wealth. Ruled by a divine emperor, daily life was anchored in the ayllu (extended community) and governed by a simple moral code: do not steal, lie, or be lazy. Their culture was deeply animistic, treating the landscape itself as a living entity, which inspired them to harmonise with their highly mountainous environment through masterful, earthquake-resistant stonemasonry and vast agricultural terracing.
S Wilkinson. PhysicsScotland
The arrival of Spanish Conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro in 1532, was devastating to the Inca Empire. The Spanish arrived just as the Inca Empire was already critically weakened by sweeping European diseases (to which the Inca people had little to no immunity against) and a devastating internal civil war.
The arrival of Spanish Conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro in 1532, was devastating to the Inca Empire. The Spanish arrived just as the Inca Empire was already critically weakened by sweeping European diseases (to which the Inca people had little to no immunity against) and a devastating internal civil war.
Exploiting this instability, Pizarro’s vastly outnumbered forces used foreign technological advantages, horses, steel weapons, and guns, to ambush and capture the Inca emperor, Atahualpa, at Cajamarca. Despite the Inca delivering a staggering ransom of gold and silver to secure his release, the Spanish reneged and executed Atahualpa, effectively destroying the empire's leadership and marking the start of Spanish Colonial rule. There were pockets of resistance in the mountainous rainforest around the city of Vilcabamba, but this was eventually overrun by the Spanish in 1572.
Exploiting this instability, Pizarro’s vastly outnumbered forces used foreign technological advantages, horses, steel weapons, and guns, to ambush and capture the Inca emperor, Atahualpa, at Cajamarca. Despite the Inca delivering a staggering ransom of gold and silver to secure his release, the Spanish reneged and executed Atahualpa, effectively destroying the empire's leadership and marking the start of Spanish Colonial rule. There were pockets of resistance in the mountainous rainforest around the city of Vilcabamba, but this was eventually overrun by the Spanish in 1572.
The modern-day descendants of the Inca are primarily the Quechua people.
The modern-day descendants of the Inca are primarily the Quechua people.
Today, there are an estimated 8 to 10 million Quechua speakers living primarily in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, with smaller populations in Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. While the Inca Empire as a political state was destroyed, the core of their culture, language and music survived attempts by the Colonial Spanish to eradicate it, and continues to thrive today.
Today, there are an estimated 8 to 10 million Quechua speakers living primarily in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, with smaller populations in Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. While the Inca Empire as a political state was destroyed, the core of their culture, language and music survived attempts by the Colonial Spanish to eradicate it, and continues to thrive today.
The Quechua & Panpipes
The Quechua & Panpipes
In ancient Peru, the panpipe, known natively as the antara in Quechua, was far more than just a musical instrument. It was a symbol of community, spirituality, and connection to the natural world. The oldest known Peruvian panpipes (dating back to 4300 BCE) were found in Chilca, and continue to be used right through to modern Peruvian folk and popular music.
In ancient Peru, the panpipe, known natively as the antara in Quechua, was far more than just a musical instrument. It was a symbol of community, spirituality, and connection to the natural world. The oldest known Peruvian panpipes (dating back to 4300 BCE) were found in Chilca, and continue to be used right through to modern Peruvian folk and popular music.
Historically, panpipes were deeply intertwined with the Andean cosmology and spiritual beliefs. They were played during agricultural festivals to honour Pachamama (Mother Earth), during religious pilgrimages to sacred mountains, and to accompany rituals. They were also used practically by ancient shepherdesses, who would play them on the mountain slopes to herd and attract their livestock. By the time of the Inca Empire, panpipes had become a fundamental staple of state and religious ceremonial music.
Historically, panpipes were deeply intertwined with the Andean cosmology and spiritual beliefs. They were played during agricultural festivals to honour Pachamama (Mother Earth), during religious pilgrimages to sacred mountains, and to accompany rituals. They were also used practically by ancient shepherdesses, who would play them on the mountain slopes to herd and attract their livestock. By the time of the Inca Empire, panpipes had become a fundamental staple of state and religious ceremonial music.
Panpipes : STEM
Panpipes : STEM
Panpipes are constructed by binding together a series of hollow tubes, typically made from bamboo, reed, wood, or clay,of varying lengths into a single row or curved bundle. Functionally, they operate as closed-pipe resonators, meaning the bottom of each tube is sealed while the top remains open.
Panpipes are constructed by binding together a series of hollow tubes, typically made from bamboo, reed, wood, or clay,of varying lengths into a single row or curved bundle. Functionally, they operate as closed-pipe resonators, meaning the bottom of each tube is sealed while the top remains open.
S Wilkinson. PhysicsScotland
A musician plays the instrument by blowing a stream of air horizontally across the open tops, which splits the air against the far edge and creates a standing sound wave within the chamber. The pitch of each note is determined strictly by the length of its corresponding tube, with longer pipes producing deep, resonant low notes and shorter pipes yielding higher frequencies.
A musician plays the instrument by blowing a stream of air horizontally across the open tops, which splits the air against the far edge and creates a standing sound wave within the chamber. The pitch of each note is determined strictly by the length of its corresponding tube, with longer pipes producing deep, resonant low notes and shorter pipes yielding higher frequencies.
STEM Task :
STEM Task :
- Build a set of panpipes following the instructions in the video above.
- Using a guitar tuner or tuner app, adjust the length of each pipe to give the correct note of a musical scale.
- Extension - Use the panpipes to play a simple melody of your own devising, or learn to play a simple song such as 'Twinkle twinkle little star'.
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