Download Panflute

Panflute
Feel the magic of music with this mythical instrument. According to legend, the
ancient Greek god Pan was in love with a nymph who had been transformed
into a reed. Pan played upon this reed for consolation. Beautifully crafted by
Peruvian artists, this panflute, with its smooth finish and colourful band of
material, makes a wonderful gift for the music lover in your life.
The Product
Peruvian Music: Peruvian music features a myriad of sounds and styles which
draw on both the country’s Andean roots and Spanish influences. While there
are innumerable genres – Huayno, Marinera, Chica, and Afro-Peruvian coastal
music, to name a few – it is suggested that Peruvian music can be roughly
divided into three categories: indigenous music, found mostly among
Amerindians; European music, brought to Peru by Spanish colonizers; and
Mestizo music, which fuses indigenous and European influences together.
Within its various genres, Peruvian music also showcases a variety of
instruments. Bamboo pan pipes, zampoñas, and quena flutes, for example, have
been used since long before Incan civilization. Pre-colonial Andean instruments
included conch shell trumpets, nuts or rattle shakers, ocarinas, wind instruments,
and drums. In addition, charangos (a type of mandolin imitating the Spanish
lute), pututos and Andean harps all make the music of Peru distinctive. Each
village has unique methods of making and tuning instruments as well as
composing music. The music of Peru, with its regional complexities, is an
exciting field to explore.
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artisans by marketing their
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for nearly 60,000 people around
the world.
Pan flutes (or Panpipes): The pan flute is a popular wind instrument
consisting of a series of pipes or reeds of graduated length. Typically made from
bamboo or large reeds, this instrument has been a popular folk instrument for over 2,000 years and is considered an ancestor to
the pipe organ and harmonica. To create music on the pan flute, place your bottom lip against the rim, curve your top lip over
the reeds or pipes, and blow downwards in quick, choppy intervals (or slower for more sustained notes). Typically, music is
played with light, airy staccato notes.
Numerous variations of the pan flute can be seen in pictures and sculptures from civilizations throughout the ancient world. The
instrument's name is taken from Pan of Greek mythology – the god of shepherds who was in love with the nymph Syrinx who
was transformed into a reed by another deity. He played a plaintive melody on this reed for consolation. In addition to these
mythological associations, panflutes are also closely linked to the Andean cultures – the Zampoña, Antara, and Siku, for
example, often accompany folk music of the Andes. Today, this instrument continues to be popular, even being featured in
movie scores and popular music. Pan flute schools and associations can also be found in many countries!
The Artisan Group: Intercrafts Peru
Previously known as CIAP (Central Interregional de Artesanos del Peru), Intercrafts Peru is a nonprofit association formed in 1992 by 20 artisan groups across Peru in order to jointly export their
creations. Today, it represents more than 700 different workshops employing over 2,400 artisans. The
group aims to keep overhead costs low, to share responsibilities so more income can stay in the hands
of the artisans, and to explore new markets. Intercrafts offers its members such benefits as health care,
loan funds and advances, school supplies and books, training programs, and technical assistance. Since
2002, the export arm of CIAP has been known as Intercrafts Peru.
Structured as a democratic cooperative, Intercrafts Peru allows artisans full participation in
organizational decisions. The headquarters are in Lima, but there are other offices located in the marginal districts and
communities of Ayacucho, Huancayo, Cuzco, Puno, Arequipa and Piura. At its 10th anniversary celebrations in 2002, Intercrafts
received official recognition for its beneficial role in the lives of handicraft producers. Intercrafts is a member of the World Fair
Trade Organization (WFTO).
The Country: Peru
After Brazil and Argentina, Peru is the third largest country in South America. In addition to being known as the cradle of the
Inca Empire, Peru has many indigenous ethnic groups, making it a major historical and cultural site. Long-established and
exceptional techniques of cultivation, metalwork, pottery and weaving continue to exist today.
Peru’s economy reflects its varied geography: arid coastal regions, cool Andean slopes and moist Amazonian rainforests.
Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas and Peru’s coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds.
Overdependence on these resources has, however, made the country subject to fluctuations in world prices. Nevertheless,
petroleum, natural gas and power industries are expected to increase due to an influx of capital in the mining, construction and
tourism sectors.
Despite its fast-growing economy, unemployment and poverty remain Peru’s main threat to domestic stability. Heavily
concentrated in rural areas, 45 percent of Peruvians live below the poverty line, surviving on less than US$ 1 a day. In order to
integrate more fully into the regional and world economy, the Peruvian government plans to expand through diversifying
production and increasing exports. The challenge will be to spread the benefits of growth across all social sectors.