La pirekua, canto tradicional de los p’urhépechas
La pirekua, canto tradicional de los p’urhépechas
World Heritage
Intangible
Usos sociales, rituales y actos festivos
Pirekua is a musical creation representative of the P'urhépecha community in the state of Michoacán, whose origins date back to the 16th century as a result of a mixture of Amerindian, European, and African influences. It includes songs sung at a slow pace and/or melodies with diverse rhythms such as sones and abajeños. Pirekua is a P'urhépecha word derived from the verb pireni, meaning “to sing,” and kua, a suffix indicating song or singing. Another word derived from pireni is pireri, which means singer or performer of songs, and pirériecha (singers or performers). The Spanish-ized word pirekua is commonly used in both the P'urhépecha language and regional Spanish.
Pirekua is a form of communication and cultural expression performed in the P'urhépecha language by both women and men. In recent times, pirekua has included a second part in Spanish (a translation of the P'urhépecha text). The lyrics of the compositions deal with themes such as love and courtship, the social and political thinking of the inhabitants, the remembrance of historical events, and the religious fervor of the community. In the same way, pirekua is an example of creativity, whose purpose is to preserve, transcend, and keep alive the P'urhépecha culture as intangible heritage.
Pirekua is an effective tool for dialogue between P'urhépecha families and communities that practice it, and it helps build and strengthen ties between them. Piréris (singers or performers) also act as social mediators, using songs to express feelings and share important events with P'urhépecha communities. Pirekua has traditionally been transmitted orally from generation to generation and is not only a cultural expression that is still alive today, but also a distinctive sign of identity and a means of communication for more than 100,000 P'urhépechas.
Pirekua is generally sung at a slow tempo, but it can also feature non-vocal styles using different rhythms such as sones (3/8) and abajeños (6/8). It can be sung solo, in duets or trios, and can also be accompanied by choirs, string orchestras, and ensembles of string and wind instruments. The singers and performers of pirekua, known as pirériechas, are renowned for their creativity and their interpretations of ancient songs.
Declaratoria UNESCO
Patrimonio Intangible
Categioría Usos sociales, rituales y actos festivos
Fecha 2010
Criterios de valor Universal Excepcional
Este lugar cumple con los siguientes criterios de valor Universal Excepcional
R.1
El elemento es patrimonio cultural inmaterial, en el sentido del Artículo 2 de la Convención.
R.2
La inscripción del elemento contribuirá a dar a conocer el patrimonio cultural inmaterial, a lograr que se tome conciencia de su importancia y a propiciar el diálogo, poniendo así de manifiesto la diversidad cultural a escala mundial y dando testimonio de la creatividad humana.
R.3
Se elaboran medidas de salvaguardia que podrían proteger y promover el elemento.
R.4
La propuesta de inscripción del elemento se ha presentado con la participación más amplia posible de la comunidad, el grupo o, si procede, los individuos interesados y con su consentimiento libre, previo e informado.
R.5
El elemento figura en un inventario del patrimonio cultural inmaterial presente en el(los) territorio(s) del(los) Estado(s) Parte(s) solicitante(s), de conformidad con los artículos 11 y 12 de la Convención.
