Sikus

Sikus, or panpipes, are traditional Andean

instruments. They are also called antaras (Quechua)
and zampoñas (Spanish). They are generally made
from bamboo shoots which are cut a specific length
and tied together. Sikus come in pairs, and both rows
of panpipes combine to complete a musical scale.
The ira and arka are the names designated to each
member of the pair. In native Andean culture, the
concept of complementarity pervades everything;
there is, respectively, a “male” and “female” side to all
in nature. The ira siku represents the male, and the
arka represents the female counterpart. Both are
needed to
complete a
melody.

The Andean musical style calls for wide

tunings of these instruments, and the
technique used when playing is called
hocket. The participating pair play notes
interchangeably and generally overlap the
ends and beginnings of each note. Dancing
is another important aspect of the technique
used when playing the siku. Traditional
indigenous siku players generally play in
ensembles with many players playing the
same type of siku, and an Andean drum, the bombo, can sometimes provide
accompaniment.