Amazonian quena: artistic and cultural expression in Peruvian music

Abstract

The quena (also known by qqena, kena, kkena or kkhena) is an airphone belonging to the family of flutes or wind instruments. Due to its antiquity, richness of variants, and particular sound, Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) declared the quena as National Cultural Heritage, considering the great transcendence in the traditional Peruvian music. The Amazonian quena is an instrument that originates from the Andean quena and its studies are very scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the perceptions of music teachers about the Amazonian quena in educational institutions in the province of Datem del Marañón, Loreto. Qualitative research methods were used in this study to address the research question. A qualitative case study was the approach selected to undertake the study. The qualitative interview has been chosen as method to gather information from key informants (two quena teachers from an educational institution) who have personal experiences, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs related to the Amazonian quena. The participants received an information sheet with details regarding the voluntary nature of their participation, confidentiality and anonymity, and the nature and aims of the research. This study used the method of thematic analysis to identify themes, categories, concepts and meaning. Results indicate that the Amazonian quena is an important instrument widely played on ceremonies and festive occasions, where they preserve a role and symbolism linked with popular culture and a strong sense of regional identity.