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The yaraví is one of the most emotional and representative musical expressions of Andean folklore. In Arequipa, this form of singing acquired its own identity, especially thanks to the poet and patriot Mariano Melgar, who immortalized this artistic manifestation during the colonial period. Midway between poetry and music, the Arequipa yaraví is synonymous with deep love, pain, and longing.
Discover here the history, origins, and current status of this cultural gem that is part of the soul of Arequipa.
Roots of the Yaraví in Arequipa Lands
Although it is difficult to pigeonhole the yaraví as just a song or just a poem, the truth is that its essence lies in the fusion of feeling and melody. Its free, almost recited structure, and instrumental accompaniment (especially strings and wind instruments), make it deeply moving.
Since pre-Hispanic times, forms of singing like the Harawi already existed, which expressed emotions, distant loves, memories, and losses. This ancestral practice remained alive even after the arrival of the Spanish, adapting to new instruments and forms of expression.
The Yaraví During the Conquest: The Song That Survived Oppression
The first chroniclers of the Viceroyalty mentioned the Harawi as a deep lament that narrated the sorrows of the indigenous people. In times of conquest and colonization, this type of singing became a way of emotional resistance, where injustices and sadness were recounted without the need for explicit words.
Historical fact: The priest Diego González Holguín already mentioned in 1608 Quechua terms such as Waynarikuna and Yuyaykukuna, referring to songs of memory, love, or pain.
Cultural Fusion in the Colonial Era: The Mestizo Yaraví is Born
During the 17th century, Arequipa was populated mainly by Andalusian migrants, many of whom were skilled string instrument builders. This is how the traditional yaraví began to mix with Spanish troubadour music, giving way to a new, deeply mestizo musical form, played and sung in the first picanterías (traditional restaurants), chicherías (places selling chicha), and popular plazas.
This is where the Arequipa lonccos were born, typical characters from the countryside and traditional neighborhoods who adopted the yaraví as their way of expressing intense emotions.
Mariano Melgar and the Romantic Yaraví: Poetry Made Song
Mariano Melgar, a symbol of Arequipa and independent Peru, was the one who took the yaraví to the next level. Inspired by the lonccos and their bohemian environment, he transformed this popular expression into a refined poetic and musical genre. His verses, written with passion and melancholy, capture the wounded soul of unrequited love and sacrifice.
Legacy: He left behind more than 10 yaravíes with musical scores that are still interpreted, his work being a fundamental pillar of the yaraví as an artistic expression.
Modern Yaraví: Tradition That Renews Without Losing Essence
During the 20th century, Arequipa musicians and researchers like Benigno Ballón Farfán promoted the recovery of old yaravíes through recordings and musical scores. Thanks to these efforts, it is now possible to enjoy original compositions, new versions, and even school contests where children and young people learn to write their own verses.
Today, the yaraví continues to be heard at festivals, cultural nights, and recitals. Although it has evolved, its melancholic spirit and emotional force remain intact.
Current status: It is often performed with guitar, quena (flute), and charango accompaniment, and continues to be a vital part of Arequipa’s folk repertoire.
