úinku

úinku is a term originating from the indigenous language of the Andean highlands, referring to a traditional practice of communal storytelling and music performed during seasonal festivals. The word combines two morphemes: “úi,” meaning “together,” and “nku,” denoting “song” or “narrative.” The practice dates back to pre‑colonial times, when itinerant groups would gather village members to share oral histories, myths, and moral lessons accompanied by drums, flutes, and stringed instruments.

The úinku ceremony typically takes place at the end of the harvest period, marking the transition to the dry season. Participants sit in a circle around a central fire, while a designated storyteller, known as the “úinvara,” narrates tales that reinforce community values such as reciprocity, respect for nature, and social cohesion. Musical interludes are interwoven to emphasize key moments in the narrative, creating a rhythmic dialogue between spoken word and sound.

Anthropologists note that úinku serves several functions: it preserves linguistic diversity, transmits cultural knowledge across generations, and strengthens social bonds through shared experience. In recent decades, the tradition has been adapted for urban settings, with community centers organizing úinku workshops that incorporate contemporary instruments and multilingual narration, thereby extending its relevance beyond its original rural context.

Recognized by the national cultural heritage agency in 2015, úinku is protected under legislation aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural expressions. Scholars continue to study its role in identity formation among Andean diaspora communities, emphasizing its resilience and capacity to evolve while maintaining core elements of collective storytelling and musical expression.