Cultural traditions honored in Bolivia and Peru

In Bolivia, the musical group Los Masis continues its mission of preserving Quechua heritage. Founded in Sucre in 1969, the ensemble focuses on the anthropological rescue of indigenous music from the Tarabuco and Jalq’a cultures. Led historically by Roberto Sahonero Gutierres, the group works to safeguard traditional melodies, ritual rhythms, and Quechua verses by documenting the practices of rural communities in Chuquisaca and Potosí.

In Peru, November 6 marks the Day of Ayacuchan Song, a commemoration established in 1981 to honor the legacy of Nery García Zárate, known as “El Pajarillo.” The tradition celebrates the musical identity of Ayacucho, characterized by instruments such as the guitar and charango. While honoring historical figures like the Hermanos García Zárate, the region also sees a renewal of tradition through contemporary artists who blend ancestral roots with modern musical languages.