Storytellers Update 2

Melanie Dizon
April 15, 2022
Meet Roberto from the Matsigenka community of Shipetiari. He shares with us his story about a special instrument called 'Pegompi'.

THE PEGOMPIRINTSI

Photo: Mike Van Kruchten

We’ve spent many visits with Roberto and family to get to know them better and recently he shared with us his knowledge about the “Pegompi"; a traditional mouth harp made of two different types of fibers - Tsigeroshi, Tsegiro, and Tiroti (or huicungo palm).

Photo: Mike Van Kruchten

Traditionally, the Pegompi was used by the ‘Seripegari’ or shaman as a ritual instrument for ayahuasca ceremonies. Today only a few know how to make and play it. 

Photo: Mike Van Kruchten

Photo: Mike Van Kruchten

Roberto was taught by his father on how to harvest, make, and play the Pegompi, and it was apparent to us that he carries many aspects of the Matsigenka ancestral wisdom through his daily practice. 

Photo: Mike Van Kruchten

Roberto and his family have been living in Shipetiari for over eight years, where his wife and four children practice their traditional building methods, agriculture, and artisanship. 

Photo: Mike Van Kruchten

Photo: Jack Wheeler

Photo: Melanie Dizon

We hope that you continue to follow our progress with this long-standing project of art and storytelling, focused on connecting the youth with the oral traditions of their elders and living culture through creative workshops and relationship building.

This project is made possible through our partnership with SePerú; a non-profit organization dedicated to equal benefits and co-management of Peruvian Indigenous communities and their natural ecosystem.

Support this project so that we may continue to share and learn about the ancestral knowledge of the Matsigenka people.