Andean group share visions with music

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Don't ever make the mistake of calling the music of this six-man group from South America Latin music.

Members of Allpa Kallpa will be the first to tell you that Latin music is the property of Conquistadors who invaded their countries centuries ago. Theirs is the music of the Andes and of their Indian ancestors who fought the invaders.

Hector Rojas founded the group 10 years ago when the members, who all live in Europe, found each other playing music on the streets. The irony of South American musicians who hail from countries such as Argentina, Peru and Ecuador, having to come together in Europe is not lost on Rojas, who explains political conditions in their home countries made such a union impossible. One of the group's fondest wishes is to be able

to take their music to their home countries, he said.

The name Allpa Kallpa comes from Quechua and translates into "the inner force of the earth." It is a reflection of the respect Native people across the world share for nature, Rojas said. This respect was also a consideration in choosing their instruments, which are handmade by the band members.

Speaking through a translator, he explained much of the oppression of the Indian people in South America has resulted from government repression rather than from the displacement of their own people. Communities are often able to stay together, although under the rule of dictator governments. The sense of unity, even under attack from hostile governments, is what Allpa Kallpa hope to bring to other Indigenous people.

Their performance at the Dreamspeaker Festival, held in Edmonton Aug. 24-27, was one of a series of appearances they have made around Alberta this summer. When on tour, the band has seen how problems facing Canadian Natives are similar to those faced by Indigenous groups around the world.

"The problems are very much the same, they just present themselves differently," said Rojas.

They have come to feel a brotherhood with Native Canadians, says Rojas, noting that it is a shame they cannot speak the same language.

Fortunately, they have discovered "music is the language" that allows Indigenous people from all countries to communicate with one another.