Last modified: November 19, 2024
Written by: admin• November 1, 2024
The Cultural Symbolism of Balsa
Balsa, due to its cotton-like seeds is a very expansive species. It is designed in such a way that its seeds fly with the wind, since they have a cotton-like cover that protects and helps them spread. Because of it’s cotton, one of its scientific names is lagopus (rabbit footed).
However, for the Kichwa communities of Rio Bobonaza it also has a culturally symbolic dimension: it is the traveller, the traveller who flies away but also comes back, as it is described in the lyrics of the song WAMBURINCHIMI, by Amazonian Kichwa group Ikara. The introduction is sung by Narcisa Gualinga and was recorded during my fieldwork. The lyrics are translated into Spanish by Ikara member ,and Narcisa’s son, Yaku Viteri Gualinga.
Kichwa Amazónico Letras (Grupo Musical IKARA)
SHUK, ISHKAY, QUIMSA, CHUSKU- WAMBURINCHIMI
KUNANMI KALIARIN KUNAMI
KUNANMI PAKTARIN KUNANMI
KUNAGA YARI, KUNANGAYA
BALSA PUTUSHINA WAMBURINGARAUNI
PUYU WASHATAMI WAMBURINGARAUNI
KUNANGA YARI KUNANGA YA
KARULIAKTATAMI RIJUNI, KUTI PUNCHAGA SHAMUSHAMI
Letras en Castellano (traducidas por Yaku Viteri Gualinga)
UNA, DOS, TRES CUATRO, VOLAMOS
AHORA EMPIEZA, AHORA SI
AHORA SE HIZO REALIDAD, AHORA SI
AHORA SÍ, AHORA SI
VOY A VOLAR COMO EL ALGODÓN DE LA BALSA
VOLARÉ SOBRE LAS NUBES
AHORA SÍ, AHORA SI
VOY A PUEBLOS LEJANOS, ALGÚN DIA VOLVERÉ
Lyrics in English (translation Leonidas Oikonomakis)
One, two, three, let’s fly
It begins now, now yes
it is true now, now yes
now yes, now yes
I will fly like balsa’s cotton
I will fly in the clouds
Now yes, now yes
I am going to faraway communities, one day I’ll be back
Versi in Italiano (Leonidas Oikonomakis)
Uno, due,tre, si vuola
si comincia hora, si comincia hora
adesso e vero, adesso si
adesso si, adesso si
Voleró come il cotone di balsa
Voleró sulle nube
Adesso si, adesso si
vado a comunite lontane, un giorno torneró
Στίχοι στα ελληνικά (Λεωνίδας Οικονομάκης)
Ένα, δυο, τρία , πετάμε
ξεκινάει τώρα ,τώρα ναι
τώρα είναι αλήθεια, τώρα ναι
τώρα ναι, τώρα ναι
Θα πετάξω σαν το βαμβάκι της μπάλσα
Θα πετάξω στα σύννεφα
Τώρα ναι, τώρα ναι
θα πάω σε κοινότητες μακρινές,
μια μέρα θα γυρίσω
Α la memoria de Wayna Viteri Gualinga
In memory of Wayna Viteri Gualinga
Last modified: November 19, 2024