Owner: HWMC
Catalog#: LA-AELV-01
Lip Vibrated
Peru ‘Waqra phuku’ Trumpet - A
Peru
Peruvian
Horn, tape, leather
Mid-20th century
Length: 24 inches
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Lip Vibrated
The waqra phuku (Quechua language: waqra horn, phuku blow, also spelled wak’rapuku, waqrapuku) is a type of trumpet used by the indigenous peoples of Peru in the Andes. Some regions call it a huajrapuco. It is used to accompany the small-framed tinya drum (also found in this collection), at ritual festivals associated with branding stock/cattle. It is most likely of pre-Columbian origin.
This waqra phuku has a spiral shape, is constructed of the horn of a bull/cow and has a single extended mouthpiece taped to the side, through which one buzzes their lips into the horn. There are no holes for changing the pitches/notes.
This single horn waqra phuku is used in the regions of Apurimac , Ayacucho , Cusco and Huancavelica, in Peru. Here they are also used in the bullfights to announce the beginning of the show, where 5 waqra phuku may be played in unison, as well as in the Yawar Fiesta (bull fights), when the bulls arrive.