Music Around the World: Bolivia

This week, our Musical World Tour stops in the South American country of Bolivia. Known for its silver, tin, copper, and lithium producing mines, famous landmarks like Lake Titicaca, and a rich, beautiful culture, this nation also has a unique and interesting music scene. Here's our info dump to as we get ready to see what's going on:

-Capital City: La Paz (governmental) & Sucre (judiciary)

-Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, and other indigenous languages

-Government: Unitary presidential republic, currently under the leadership of President Luis Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca, Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez, & Chamber of Deputies President Israel Huaytari

-Bolivia has been populated by the Aymara people for 2,500 years; the Inca Empire spread to Bolivia starting around 1438; Spain had colonized the land by 1533; Bolivia declared independence from Spain in August 1825, though it wasn't recognized until July 1847; their current constitution was ratified in February 2009.

-Land Area: 424,164 square miles (27th largest nation in the world, with 1.29% of its area being water)

-Population: 12,186,079 estimated as of 2023 (79th most populous nation in the world)

-Religion: 81.4% Catholic, 11.4% other Christian demonination, 6.5% no religious affiliation, 0.7% other religious affiliation

-Drive on the right side of the road

Bolivian music is intrinsically linked to the cultures of its indigenous people while also being heavily influenced by Spain. Traditional instruments include the charango, charangón, ronroco, & hualaycho (small lute-like instruments), the zampoña & toyos (pan flutes), the quena, pinquillo, & tarka (flutes), the bombo (a bass drum), the reco reco (a scraper instrument also found in tradtional African music), the pututu (a giant conch shell), and the chajchas (rattle), as well as violins and guitars. There are many forms of native folk music throughout the country, including but not limited to Bailecito, Caporales, Carnavalito, Diablada, Kullawada, Llamerada, Morenada, Sikuri, Taquirari, Tarqueada, and Tonada. Let's see what we've got to listen to this week!

Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio by Bandar Militar Boliviana (written by J. de Sanjinés, L. Vincenti)

Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio (Bolivians, a Propitious Fate in English) is the national anthem of the country of Bolivia. With lyrics by Bolivian poet & politician José Ignacio de Sanjinés and music composed by Italian musician Leopoldo Benedetto Vincenti, it was adopted as the national anthem in 1851. Like most national anthems, it's full of pride and love for their native land. An English translation of the original Spanish lyrics is below.

Bolivians, a propitious fate has at long last crowned our vows and longings/This land is free, free at last, its servile state has now finally ceased/The martial turmoil of yesterday and the horrible clamor of war/Are followed today in harmonious contrast by sweet hymns of peace and unity/Let us keep the lofty name of our Fatherland in glorious splendor/And on its altars, once more we must swear/To die before we would live as slaves/To die before we would live as slaves/To die before we would live as slaves

Carnaval 2023 by Betty Veizaga (written by B. Veizaga, R. Zurita)

Natividad Betty Veizaga Siles, better known as Betty Veizaga, is a Bolivian folk musician. Born in 1957 in Vacas (around 205 miles northwest of Sucre), she performs primarily in the Quechua language. She's released 9 studio albums since 1981 as a solo artist, and she's also a member of two musical groups: Grupo Pukaj Wayra (Red Wind Group in English) with her siblings and Takiytinku (When They Sing in English) with her husband and daughter. Carnaval 2023 was released as a single in 2023. Not gonna lie, this one wasn't my favorite, but I can still see how others would truly enjoy it. It's got good energy for sure, that's undeniable. I couldn't find a good English translation of the lyrics, but check this one out for yourself.

Sucre del Alma by Huáscar Aparicio (written by G. Colombo Flores)

Huáscar Aparicio Gonzales, better known as Huáscar Aparicio, was a Bolivian folk singer. Born in June 1972 in Sucre, he began performing as a child in school competitions. He released at least 14 studio albums before his tragic death in a car accident in 2013 at age 41. Sucre del Alma (Sugar of the Soul in English) was released posthumously as a single in 2021. This was alright, a little too slow and too quick for my taste all at once; it's hard to explain until you listen to it. Aparicio had a good voice, and his talent definitely shows through this song. I couldn't find a good English translation of the lyrics, but of course you should check it out.

El Llanto de Mi Madre by Los Jairas (written by E. Jofré, Depto Folklore Boliviano)

Los Jairas are a Bolivian Andean folk band. Formed in 1965, they are a very influential Andean folk act in Bolivia, inspiring numerous other groups like Los Kjarkas, Savia Andina, and Khanata. The lineup included Ernesto Cavour on charango (a Bolivian lute-style instrument), Edgar "Yayo" Jofré on vocals, drums, and zampoña (an Andean panpipe), Julio Godoy, and Gilbert Favre on quena (traditional Andean flute). Los Jairas have released at least 10 studio albums since the 1960s. El Llanto de Mi Madre (My Mother's Cry in English) was originally featured on their 1995 album Para Ti... Madre (For You... Mother in English). This one was okay, not my favorite but definitely not bad. It's pleasant enough song both vocally and instrumentally. I couldn't find a reliable English translation of the lyrics, but check it out for sure.

Llorando Se Fue by Los Kjarkas (written by H. Ulises, G. Hermosa)

Los Kjarkas are a Bolivian Andean folk band. Formed in 1965 in the Capinota province (about 222 miles northwest of Sucre), they are one of the most popular Andean folk acts in Bolivian history. The current lineup includes Gonzalo Hermosa González, Elmer Hermosa González, Gastón Guardia Bilboa, Makodo Shishido, Lin Angulo, and Gonzalo Hermosa Camacho. Los Kjarkas have toured internationally and formed two music schools in their fifty-nine year career, as well as releasing 25 studio albums since 1976. Llorando Se Fue (Crying He Left in English) was originally featured on their 1982 album Canto a la Mujer de Mi Pueblo (Song to the Women of My People in English). I liked this one a lot, and realized I recognized the vocal melody from the Jennifer Lopez song On the Floor. It's a lovely song both vocally and instrumentally, and I highly recommend it. An English translation of the original Spanish lyrics is below.

Crying he left/And left me alone without his love/Crying he left/And left me alone without his love/And crying will be remembering love/That time cannot erase/And crying will be remembering love/That time cannot erase

Kacharpayita by Luzmila Carpio (written by L. Carpio Sangueza)

Luzmila Carpio Sangueza, better known as Luzmila Carpio, is a Bolivian singer and songwriter. Born December 1949 in Qala Qala (around 96 miles southwest of Sucre), she performs songs both in Spanish and Quechua (an indigenous Andean language) and also served as the Bolivian Ambassador to France in the late 2000s. Growing up hearing and singing traditional Quechua and Aymara songs, her singing career began at age 11 and has released 25 albums since 1983. Kacharpayita (Send Me Away in English) was originally featured on Carpio's 2013 album Inti Watana (El Retorno del Sol) (In Watana (The Return of the Sun) in English). I really, really liked this one, particularly the vocals and the drums. Carpio has a strong, powerful voice, and you can tell how much she cares for the music she creates and the culture it comes from. An English translation of the original Quechua lyrics is below.

Send me away/Send me away/With pleasure/Together with the wind/Dancing around/Send me away/Send me away/Ayayay/I love you/Send us away and let's dance in the tunadita/Send him away and let's sing tunaditampi/Send us away and let's dance in the tunadita/Send him away and let's sing tunaditampi

Instantánea by Nilo Soruco (written by N. Soruco, O. Alfaro)

Nilo Rixio Soruco Arancibia, better known as Nilo Soruco, was a Bolivian singer and songwriter. Born July 1927 in Tarija (around 290 miles southeast of Sucre), he was actually exiled from Bolivia for most of the 1970s, living in Venezuela until 1978, due to his affiliation with communism. He wrote over 300 songs before his death in 2004 at age 76, many of which are performed at special Bolivian celebrations, and he released at least 2 studio albums since 1975. Instantánea (Snapshot in English) was originally featured on Soruco's 1975 album Obras de Nilo Soruco y Oscar Alfaro (Works by Nilo Soruco and Oscar Alfaro in English). This one was great, and I especially loved the vibrant guitar line throughout the piece. Soruco has a very pleasant voice that's super easy to listen to, and the music is just plain. I couldn't find a good English translation of the lyrics, but I highly recommend giving this one a listen.

Boqueron by Zulma Yugar (written by A. Calderón)

Zulma Yugar is a Bolivian folk singer and politician. Born January 1952 in Oruro (around 204 miles northwest of Sucre), she has held a number of government positions including Minister of Culture, Director for the Promotion of Culture, and President of the Bolivian Association of Artists & Musicians. As a musician, she has released 14 studio albums since 1969. Boqueron (Anchovy in English) was originally featured on Yugar's 1982 album Kutimuy. This is another lovely song that I really enjoyed. Yugar has a very nice voice, and the whole vibe is fun yet chill. An English translation of the original Spanish lyrics is below.

Abandoned anchovy, without command or reinforcements/Abandoned anchovy, without command or reinforcements/You are the glory from the Bolivian soldier/You are the glory from the Bolivian soldier/Now I really won't give up before the coward Pata Pila/Now I really won't give up before the coward Pata Pila/I'm going to spill the last drop of my blood/I'm going to spill the last drop of my blood

I hope you had fun touring this musical culture, because I know I did. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!