THE PERUVIAN MUSIC AND ME

Two months ago I went to see a Peruvian singer named Eva Ayllon at The House Of Blues. There were approximately two hundred people, most of the people from Peru were singing "...I am in love with my country, in love with this place, its people with open arms, where you find happiness, a place where shame is shared between the people…” The music reminded me of home. But, not because of the songs, the dance or the singer's jokes between songs, which are typical in Peruvian concerts, but because music is a part of everyday life in Peru and it has deep meaning. The experience reminded me how different the ordinary days are. I am in a different country, and time has passed since I last listened to and danced Peruvian songs. It has been hard to explain how music plays a different role in my culture than the culture here, and I have a difficult time sharing this aspect with my new friends from different cultural backgrounds.


One of the reasons Peruvian music transcends my culture is because it involves history. It is a very passionate and unique type of music created many years ago by the Inca Civilization, and later influenced by the Spanish conquistadors. For instance, The Huayno Music, which is traditional rural folk music, is the everyday music of the Peruvian Andean people. Even though, the musicians play in exuberant tones that are accompanied by cries of joy, the music maintains the profound sadness that is such a distinctive feature of Andean Music.

The Marinera Music, which is classic and romantic, gained its name in honor of the Naval Army of Peru t. It is danced in couples simulating the courtship.
The Afro-Peruvian music has its roots in the black slaves brought to Peru to work along the Peruvian cost. These examples illustrate how Peruvian music reflects its history. But my surroundings have changed. I am living in a country with its own music, its own history and culture. Initially, I tried to make an effort to keep my traditions, so I went to the only Peruvian ballet that I could find in Chicago. I was frenzied to participate but, just two weeks later I realized that it wouldn't be possible because of time constraints. The location was far away from home, and I had other priorities like my job and going to school, so I was unable to attend.

In addition to the deep meaning, Peruvian music was a part of my everyday life. I can’t remember an occasion with any of my friends or family in which music was not a part. Music is played at the family events, school, and festivals in the neighborhood. One memory that I have is the sound of the song played in my graduation dance. One of the special moments in my life has a direct relationship with the rhythms and types of a singular song. The special moments in Peru are related to Peruvian music. In America, I’ve replaced the family events with friend's parties and neighborhood festivals with short chats at Starbucks. I also bought an I-Pod that I like to play every time that I ride on the train. No more Peruvian music, now I listen to the latest MTV top songs that I downloaded from the internet. I believe listening to music in English will help to improve my ability to speak English. I got so used to singing "womanizer "instead of "Guitarra" which is a typical Peruvian song, if Eva Ayllon would hear me, she would possibly consider me to be unfaithful to my roots.

Another reason why it’s been hard to express the role that Peruvian Music plays on me is because of my friends. Peruvian music wouldn’t be so special and unique without people who identify with it, and without people who sing every word of each song. The fact that the United States of America is country where the official language is not Spanish makes it hard to introduce my native music with my new friends. In addition, the diversity of cultures has made so difficult to share my music with my friends the way I would like to, as well as explain to them the meaning of the songs. That's why Peruvian songs always will remind me of past experiences in my country, and my old friends that I left, as well as, my family, my house, and school.

Peruvian music is part of the culture of my country. In addition to providing entertainment, it often tells you about Peruvian history. That's one of the things that make it so special and unique, but being in different environment, a different culture, with another language requires me to make an adjustment. In the transition, there are things regarding the person I am that I could lose, or just replace. Like adaptations enable living organisms to cope with environmental stresses and pressures but the species remains the same, the essential part of who I am will never disappear. There may be transformation, but not death. I eventually will learn to speak English fluently and I will feel comfortable interacting with others in this country.

There might not be many festivals in these neighborhoods, or friends who passionately sing my favorite songs with, but Peruvian music will always live in a place that it has rightfully won long ago -my heart.