Ñanda Mañachi Musical Instruments Workshop

Ñanda Mañachi is a philosophy of life. They are two words that express solidarity in the Andean world. Connected with the "randi randi", the giving and giving or collaboration in the villages of the Ecuadorian highlands.

 

Ñanda Mañachi is translated into Spanish as "lend me the road". It is the name of the gallery-workshop of handicrafts of the Pichamba family, community of Peguche, canton Otavalo, province of Imbabura, in the north of Ecuador.

 

José Luis Pichamba is about to complete 5 decades dedicated to the making of Andean musical instruments. He transmitted his knowledge, or rather inherited it, to his 8 children. The family enterprise has now diversified its offer. His daughters make earrings and necklaces with native designs and dream catchers against nightmares.

 

The Otavalos are an indigenous group from Imbabura. They are a people of musicians, artisans and merchants. Their culture, known internationally, attracts tourists to Peguche. The Pichamba take advantage of this to also offer traditional food and music in their workshop-gallery.

 

The palla, a small rondador typical of Otavalo, takes shape and sound in the skillful hands of José Luis. The workshop is also an exhibition centre for musical instruments from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, the Andean area. From its walls hang rondadores, quenas, toyos, charangos, bandolines, guitars. Pichamba as a musician plays various wind, string and percussion instruments. In his business he also sells records of the group Ñanda Mañachi.

 

Ñanda Mañachi is a musical group of internationally famous Otavalan Indians. They are about to celebrate 50 years of career. José Pichamba was a founding member. In 1973, with the participation of 18 indigenous communities of Peguche, Zuleta and Angochagua, 70 indigenous people received training as musicians with Professor Alfonso Cachiguango.