| Bolivia is a country in South America | | | | The most common musical instruments are: |
| located at the Andes mountains. It has a | | | | sicu (also "sicus") or zampona |
| significant Native American population | | | | quena |
| which mixed Spanish cultural elements | | | | tarka or tharqa |
| with their ancestors' traditions. The | | | | pinkillo |
| Spanish-speaking population mainly | | | | skin drums |
| follows the Western customs. | | | | bronze gongs |
| Festivals | | | | copper bells |
| Pagan rites from the pre-Columbian era | | | | charango: Has five pairs of strings and |
| are still common during the religious | | | | looks like a small guitar. Traditionally |
| festivals of the Indians. The clothing | | | | it was made from the shells of |
| used during the festivals reminds the | | | | armadillos, but today it is mostly made |
| visitor of the pre-Columbian Indians and | | | | of wood. |
| the 16th century Spaniards. | | | | The quena (quechua: qina, sometimes also |
| Dances | | | | written "kena" in English) is the |
| Many dances and songs contain elements | | | | traditional flute of the Andes. Usually |
| from both the native and the | | | | made of bamboo, it has 6 finger holes |
| Mediterranean culture; obviously they | | | | and one thumb hole and is open on both |
| suffered a strong Spanish influence | | | | ends. To produce sound, the player |
| during colonial times. | | | | closes the top end of the pipe with the |
| Clothing | | | | flesh between his chin and lower lip, |
| It is fashionable among Bolivian Andean | | | | and blows a stream of air downward, |
| women of indigenous descent wear a skirt | | | | along the axis of the pipe, over an |
| called a pollera. It was originally a | | | | elliptical notch cut into the end. |
| Spanish peasant skirt that the colonial | | | | The Quenacho (also "kenacho" in English) |
| authorities forced the indigenous women | | | | is a larger, lower-toned version of the |
| to wear. Now it is also a symbol of | | | | quena and made the same way. |
| pride in being indigenous and is also | | | | Other flutes |
| considered a status symbol. | | | | Other Andean flutes include : |
| Another fashion is the bowler hat, which | | | | The pinquillo, which is similar in look |
| was adopted from the British. The | | | | and operation to a recorder; |
| position of the hat can indicate a | | | | The tarka (or tharqa), which also |
| woman's marital status and aspirations. | | | | operates like a recorder but is |
| Music | | | | comparatively shorter and quite angular |
| Music in the Andean regions is played | | | | in shape, requires greater breath, and |
| during the festivals and the dances. | | | | has a darker, more penetrating sound; |
| Some tunes contain strong Spanish | | | | The moseno, a dual-tube bamboo flute |
| influences. | | | | that has a deep sound. |