Amazonian quena: artistic and cultural expression in Peruvian music

Abstract

The quena (also known by qqena, kena, kkena or kkhena) is an aerophone belonging to the family of flutes or wind instruments. Due to its great transcendence in traditional Peruvian music, its antiquity, richness of variations, and particular sound, Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) declared the quena to be National Cultural Heritage. The Amazonian quena is an instrument that originates from the Andean quena and studies about it 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 method to gather information from key informants consisted of a semi-structured interview with two quena teachers from an educational institution, with 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 during ceremonies and on festive occasions, where they preserve a role and are a symbol of popular culture and a strong sense of regional identity.