A Pinkillo is a flute found throughout the Andes

Andes

The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...

, used primarily in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. It is usually played with one hand, leaving the other one free to accompany oneself on a tambor (drum). It is used in a variety of public festivals, and other kinds of communal ceremonies.

Construction and Materials

The Pinkillo can measure in length up to 1 meter 20 cm, and has six finger holes. It is most commonly made out of cane; but can be made out of bamboo, bone, or tree branches as well. In Peru and Bolivia, sheep and llama nerves are used to tie the instrument together. Since the word "Pinkillo" means "Flute"; it is often specifically referred to by the material it is made out of for example:
cchacca pinkillo (Bone Flute)
quina quina pinkillo (Cane flute)
tupa pinkillo (Made from thicker tocoro cane)

Cultural Uses and Significance

The Pinkillo has great cultural significance. In the Andes, the instrument is played during the early rainy season to celebrate in honor of cattle and farming. The Pinkillos are moistened with alcohol or water before playing, and are associated with fertility. Pinkillo's are often played in pairs or ensembles during the rainy season and at festivals. In Bolivia, it is believed that Pinkillo's made from cane attract rainfall.

Images and Audio examples (External links)

• l Photo of a Pinkillo taken by Fumio Koizumi as part of the Catalog of Musical Instrument Collection of the Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku.
• | Video of a pinkillo builder demonstrating the range of the instrument