Luzmila Carpio, a Bolivian singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, of Quechuan descent, has been a global ambassador of ancestral Andean knowledge and music for over five decades. Born in 1949 in Qala Qala, in the Oruro Department of Bolivia, Luzmila Carpio acquired a deep understanding of the daily songs of the Quechua and Aymara indigenous peoples of the Bolivian high plains (Altiplano) during her early years.
Her music holds a significant role in the current worldwide resurgence of indigenous heritage, a heightened awareness of cultural roots, and a renewed connection to the natural world, particularly the Pachamama (Mother Earth). Consequently, her music conveys a profound sensitivity to the earth, respect for South American indigenous traditions, and a celebration of the role of women in society.
In contrast to the prevailing trend of modernization, she delved deeper into the cultural and musical traditions of the Andes. As a result, she initially chose to sing in Quechua rather than Spanish, firmly establishing her commitment to preserving indigenous culture. Her primary objective was not to cater to expanding audiences, but to use her music as a form of protest against the dominance of Western cultural norms over indigenous ones. This approach aimed to foster more harmonious relations among the world’s diverse peoples.
In the late 1980s, she pursued her musical development in Paris, aiming to establish herself as a serious artist. This marked a significant step in her artistic journey.
On April 21, 2006, President Evo Morales appointed Luzmila Carpio as Bolivia’s ambassador to France. This significant political role lasted for four years, until March 31, 2010, further underlining her effect and recognition on the global stage.
In her recent compositions, Luzmila Carpio explores themes that resonate with her indigenous heritage and hold significance for younger generations. She addresses issues of cultural identity, the empowerment of women in society, environmental conservation, and the vital role of indigenous spirituality in a rapidly changing world.
(headline image: Luzmila Carpio – Photo by Nora Lezano)
Discography
Luzmila Carpio (1970)
Cholita Bonita (1970)
Luz Mila Carpio Con Los Provincianos (1971)
Siway Azucena (1971)
Luzmila Carpio EP (1979)
Adios Negrito / La Vida Es Asi single (1980)
Sumaj Llajta (1981)
Rhupay (1982)
Un Peuple Qui Ne Chante Pas Est Un Peuple Mort (Chants Quechua De Bolivie) (1983)
Chants Quechuas De Bolivie (1988)
Luzmila Carpio (1988)
Indianische Stimme (1988)
Huayños (1989)
Vida para los niños (1991)
Warmikunapax (1993)
Yayay Jap’ina (1994)
Kuntur Mallku – The Messenger (1999)
Reina Del Folklore 1970 – 1971 (1999)
The Messenger Kuntur Mallku (2003)
Le Chant de la Terre et des Etoiles = The Song Of The Earth And Stars (2003)
Arawi: The Spirit of the Andes (2004)
Songs of the Earth and Stars (2004)
Luzmila Carpio Live. En concierto (2005)
Oratorio Andino Amazónico (2013)
Yayay Jap’ina Tapes, reissue (Almost Musique, 2014)
Inti Watana – El Retorno Del Sol (ZZK Records, 2023)
Author: Douglas Sanders
