Monday, October 13, 2025
HomeMusicChicha, the electrical pulse of cumbia : The Image Present : NPR

Chicha, the electrical pulse of cumbia : The Image Present : NPR


Pedro Tolomeo Rojas, often called Monky, enters his studio in Lima on Oct. 21, 2024. Monky was a pioneer within the making of the posters that publicize cumbia live shows and at the moment are thought-about chicha artwork. His posters nonetheless cowl Lima and cities past, promoting upcoming live shows.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

That is a part of a particular sequence, Cumbia Throughout Latin America, a visible report throughout six nations developed over a number of years, masking the individuals, locations and cultures that preserve this music style alive.

The individuals of Peru have many definitions for the phrase chicha: a sacred fermented corn drink, in style tradition, in style artwork and, after all, Peruvian cumbia. It has additionally been used as a derogatory time period, mocking immigrant tradition in Lima throughout the mass migrations of Indigenous Andean individuals to Lima within the twentieth century. On the subject of music, the time period has develop into extraordinarily controversial.

High school students dance folkloric music, such as Huayno, in the Plaza de Armas in Cusco on November 3, 2025. Huayno music was mixed with Colombian cumbia, among other genres, to make a kind of Peruvian cumbia known as chicha.

Highschool college students dance folkloric music, similar to huayno, within the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru, on Nov. 3, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU, SICUANI - Women gather after a celebration for the 137 anniversary for the city of Sicuani in Sicuani, Peru, on November 4, 2024. People say that the colors used for the clothing of the indigenous people inspired the colors of the posters that promote cumbia concerts are known as chicha art. Armonía 10, a Peruvian orchestra that plays cumbia, originally founded in 1972, played in Sicuani that night.

Ladies collect after a celebration for the 137th anniversary for town of Sicuani, Peru, on Nov. 4, 2024. Armonía 10, a Peruvian orchestra that performs cumbia and was initially based in 1972, performed in Sicuani that evening.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU, LIMA - Berardo Hernández Jr. known as Manzanita Jr., holds his guitar in his kitchen in Lima, Peru, on November 2, 2024. Berardo’s father, Manzanita, is known for having a part in creating the sound of a new genre known as chicha, which emphasizes the electric guitar and mixes Colombian cumbia, with huayno, which is folkloric music from the Peruvian Andes, along with Cuban guaracha, rock ’n roll and other styles of music.

Berardo Hernández Jr., often called Manzanita Jr., holds his guitar in his kitchen in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 2, 2024. Hernández’s father, Manzanita, is understood for having a component in creating chicha’s sound.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

In a small peña, or neighborhood membership, in Lima, two legends — Berardo Hernandez Jr., the son of Manzanita, and Pancho Acosta, of Compay Quinto — crammed the venue with intricate and melodic electrical guitar sounds, soloing at a speedy tempo, utilizing their fingers as a substitute of picks. Followers smiled and danced, soaking within the magical sonic expertise. Acosta, Manzanita and Enrique Delgado, of Los Destellos, all had a component in creating the chicha style, which emphasised electrical guitar and was uniquely Peruvian.

Berardo, often called Manzanita Jr., aligns with the idea that every one Peruvian cumbia will be thought-about chicha. Pancho, alternatively, insists that chicha is particularly Tropical Andina, a sub-genre that mixes Colombian cumbia with Andean folkloric music, often called huayno. Alfredo Villar, an creator and artwork historian, says chicha “is probably the most complicated second of Peruvian id, as a result of it mixes every part — from its deepest roots to its most excessive and complicated exterior influences. Because of this it’s so tough to outline … Chicha will all the time shock you.”

People drink chicha in a checheria in the sacred valley, near Cusco, in the pueblo of Calca on November 6, 2025. Chicha, a fermented corn drink was sacred to the indigenous of the region, and became a term to describe Peruvian Cumbia. The people of Peru have many definitions for the word chicha: a sacred fermented corn drink, popular culture, popular art, and of course, Peruvian cumbia. It has also been used as a derogatory term, mocking immigrant culture in Lima, during the mass migrations from the Andes to Lima in the twentieth century. When it comes to music, the term has become extremely controversial.

Individuals drink chicha in Calca, Peru, on Nov. 6, 2024. A fermented corn drink, chicha was sacred to the Indigenous of the area earlier than it grew to become a time period to explain Peruvian cumbia.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

A woman stands next to an “Inca cuy” in the sacred valley, near Cusco, in the pueblo of Lamay on November 6, 2025. Cuyes, or guinea pigs, where sacred to the indigenous of the region. Chicha, a fermented corn drink was also a sacred to the indigenous of the region, and became a term to describe Peruvian Cumbia. The people of Peru have many definitions for the word chicha: a sacred fermented corn drink, popular culture, popular art, and of course, Peruvian cumbia. It has also been used as a derogatory term, mocking immigrant culture in Lima, during the mass migrations from the Andes to Lima in the twentieth century. When it comes to music, the term has become extremely controversial.

A girl stands subsequent to an “Inca cuy” in Lamay, Peru, on Nov. 6, 2024. Like chica, the fermented corn drink, cuyes, or guinea pigs, had been sacred to the Indigenous of the area.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU IQUITOS - Helner Misael Sánchez Casanova, known as Tacto, a member of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, plays a bombo drum in his house in Iquitos, Peru. Los Wembler’s were founded in 1968 and were one of the first to play a new sub-genre of Peruvian Cumbia, known a cumbia Amazonica. The band mixed Colombian cumbia with Amazonian rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar, animal sounds from the jungle and other styles of music to create a unique genre.

Helner Misael Sánchez Casanova, often called Tacto, a member of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, performs a bombo in his home in Iquitos, Peru, on Oct. 26, 2024. Los Wembler’s was based in 1968 and was one of many first to play a brand new sub-genre of Peruvian cumbia, identified a cumbia Amazonica. The band blended Colombian cumbia with Amazonian rhythms, psychedelic electrical guitar, animal sounds from the jungle and different kinds of music to create a singular style.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

A view of the barrio of Belén seen from the city of Iquitos, Peru, on Oct. 26, 2024.

A view of the barrio of Belén seen from town of Iquitos, Peru, on Oct. 26, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

The inconceivable mixture of Colombian cumbia, Cuban guaracha, Andean huayno and psychedelic rock, in addition to numerous different genres, together with jazz and bossa nova, that melted collectively in Lima on the finish of the Sixties created a really scrumptious sound. Chicha peaked within the ’80s as Lorenzo Palacios Quispe, often called Chacalón or El Faraón de la Cumbia, and Los Shapis, an Andean band from Huancayo, introduced chicha to the lots.

PERU, IQUITOS - The art of Ashuco, Jose Araujo, a Amazonian chicha artist, covers the walls and couple dance and talk in El Refugio, a bar in Iquitos, Peru, known for live cumbia music on October 26, 2024. El Refugio is also known to be a place where lovers escape to spend time together. Iquitos is home of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, one of the first bands to create the Cumbia Amazonica genre, mixing Colombian cumbia with Amazonian rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar, animal sounds from the jungle and other styles of music.

Artwork by José “Ashuco” Araujo, a Amazonian chicha artist, covers the partitions of El Refugio, a bar in Iquitos, Peru, that is identified for stay cumbia as and {couples} dance and speak on Oct. 26, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

Alfredo Villar Luquin, a writer who has immersed himself in the world of chicha, puts his hand over a painting of Chacalón in his house on November 11, 2024. The painting is by Monky, Pedro Tolomeo Rojas, who is a pioneering chicha artist. Lorenzo Palacios Quispe, known as Chacalón, brought chicha to the masses in Lima.

Alfredo Villar Luquin, a author who has immersed himself on the planet of chicha, places his hand over a portray of Chacalón in his home on Nov. 11, 2024. The portray is by Pedro Tolomeo Rojas, the pioneering chicha artist higher identified by “Monky.” Lorenzo Palacios Quispe, often called Chacalón, introduced chicha to the lots in Lima.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU, SICUANI - Fans of Armonia 10 watch as the band plays at the 137 anniversary for the city of Sicuani in Sicuani, Peru, on November 4, 2024. Armonia 10, a Peruvian orchestra that plays cumbia, was originally founded in 1972.

Followers of Armonía 10 watch because the band performs on the 137th anniversary celebration for town of Sicuani, Peru, on Nov. 4, 2024. A Peruvian orchestra that performs cumbia, Armonía 10 was initially based in 1972.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

Chacalón, who was the son of migrant dad and mom and grew up in a barrio on the cerro of San Cosme, working odd jobs, grew to become a megastar amongst marginalized migrants within the capital. Hundreds would come down from the barrios on the mountains above Lima to see him sing from the guts in regards to the struggles of each day life and the migrant expertise, giving start to the saying, “When Chacolón sings, the mountains come down.” Los Shapis made historical past in 1983 after they crammed a stadium in Lima, demonstrating the ability of chicha and the brand new Andean residents of Lima. Chacalón died on the age of 44; 60,000 individuals attended his funeral. Los Shapis would go on to tour the world.

Estella Gonzalez, from the band, Son Estrella, sings on the street to promote the band in Iquitos on October 27, 2025. The band plays cumbia, as well as other tropical music. Iquitos is home of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, one of the first bands to create the Cumbia Amazonica genre, mixing Colombian cumbia with Amazonian rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar, animal sounds from the jungle and other styles of music.

Estella Gonzalez, a member of Son Estrella, sings on the streets of Iquitos on Oct. 27, 2024, to advertise the band.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU, SICUANI - Jose Luis Mendoza Zapata, bongo player and Leandro Lozada, singer of Armonia 10, stand in their hotel room before a concert in Sicuani, Peru, on November 4, 2024. Armonia 10 is a Peruvian orchestra that plays cumbia, originally founded in 1972.

Jose Luis Mendoza Zapata, bongo participant, and Leandro Lozada, singer of Armonía 10, pose for a photograph of their resort room earlier than a live performance in Sicuani, Peru, on Nov. 4, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU, LIMA - Pancho Acosta, of Compay Quinto, holds his guitar in his house in Lima, Peru, on November 2, 2024. Acosta is known for having a part in creating the sound of a new genre known as chicha, which emphasizes the electric guitar and mixes Colombian cumbia, with huayno, which is folkloric music from the Peruvian Andes, along with Cuban guaracha, rock ’n roll and other styles of music.

Pancho Acosta, of Compay Quinto, poses for a photograph along with his guitar in his house in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 2, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

Final November, in Lima’s cemetery of El Sauce, throngs of individuals crowded round graves bringing food and drinks to the deceased throughout Dia de Todos los Santos, or All Saints’ Day. As the sunshine started to fade over the desert mountains surrounding the capital, 4 saxophonists performed huayno music from Huancayo. The sound echoed off the partitions of graves as households danced and drank beer. Chacolón may very well be heard from the audio system of a avenue vendor, and a household performed Los Shapis on transportable audio system whereas visiting their family members. Forty years later, chicha was nonetheless very alive within the Peruvian capital.

People sell flowers outside of a cemetery as motorcycles drive by in the Iquitos, Peru, on October 28th, 2024. Iquitos is home of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, one of the first bands to create the Cumbia Amazonica genre, mixing Colombian cumbia with Amazonian rhythms, psychedelic electric guitar, animal sounds from the jungle and other styles of music.

Individuals promote flowers exterior of a cemetery as bikes drive by within the Iquitos, Peru, on Oct. 28, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU IQUITOS - Helner Misael Sánchez Casanova, known as Tacto, a member of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, visits his dad Salomon Sánchez Saavedra, Peru. Salomon founded the band with his five sons in 1968. Los Wembler’s were one of the first to play a new sub-genre of Peruvian Cumbia, known a cumbia Amazonica. The band mixed Colombian cumbia with Amazonian rhythms and other styles of music to create a unique sound.

Helner Misael Sánchez Casanova, often called Tacto, a member of Los Wembler’s de Iquitos, visits the grave of his father, Salomon Sánchez Saavedra, at Lima’s cemetery of El Sauce on Oct. 28, 2024. Salomon based the band along with his 5 sons in 1968.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

PERU, LIMA - Four saxophonists from Huancayo, play huayno music as a family dances while they visit their deceased loved ones on Día de Todos los Santos in the cemetery of El Sauce in Lima on November 1, 2024. Huayno music was mixed with Colombian cumbia to make a kind of Peruvian cumbia known as chicha.

4 saxophonists from Huancayo, Peru, play huayno music as a household dances whereas they go to their deceased family members on Día de Todos los Santos, or All Saints’ Day, in Lima’s cemetery of El Sauce on Nov. 1, 2024.

Ivan Kashinsky


conceal caption

toggle caption

Ivan Kashinsky

This protection was made with the help of the Nationwide Geographic Explorer program.

Ivan Kashinsky is a photojournalist based mostly in Los Angeles. You may see extra of his work on his web site, IvanKphoto.com, or on Instagram, at @ivankphoto.



RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments