The Shipibo Conibo Xetebo people are Guardians of the Amazon and Ayahuasca wisdom, who are known for their unique culture, language and artistic traditions. Unfortunately they are now in trouble, due to Global Warming, indifference as native minorities and now even more urgently because of COVID-19.
The Behuá Icára initiative has been created by a group of electronic music collectives from Lima, Perú, including Mariano León from Combustión, Daniel Holguin from Casalocasa and in partnership with Shipibo led organisation Coshikox. With all proceeds raised being donated and distributed to community leaders.
Icaros are sacred songs performed by the Shipibo (often in ceremony) to heal and guide. These were the course of inspiration for the compilation and indeed guided its artistic direction. This includes contributions from Shipibo female artist Lastenia Canayo (album artwork) plus special collaborations with Shipibo artists like Olinda Silvano, Wihtner FaGo, Rawa, amongst others. Externally the release welcomes a selection of rising stars and established names from Latin America and Internationally, notably including the likes of Dengue Dengue Dengue, Harmonius Theolonius and Sano.
The latter originally from Colombia but now residing in Spain is most commonly associated with Aguayo’s Comeme label and become synonymous with ‘Latino Body Music’. His contribution is unsurprisingly a Latin infused, rhythmic gem utilising laid back vocals, steady bass and light pads which create an early morning dreamlike state, much like awakening from ceremony where new pathways ‘Abrecamino’ appear.
Further background
Perú is currently the second most highly-affected country in South America, only behind Brazil and is unable to provide support for all communities. There are approximately 45,000 Shipibo-Conibo, and some of their communities are many days travel from Ucayali’s Amazon city, Pucallpa, only accessible by boat. Amazonian communities like the Shipibo-Conibo have historically been the last ones to receive attention from the central government, leading to health crises and a lack of basic resources, like food and medicine.
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Release Date – 20/09/20