Inti Maki
BASICS • ACTIVITIES • STYLE
Inti Maki is a band playing Peruvian and Latin American folk music. Almost all members of the group have Peruvian origin and are closely linked to Latn American music. The name of the group is a result of the indigenous language Quechua and means "Hands of the Sun" in German. Besides the indigenous tradition the traditional instruments are equally as important. The group uses instruments such as flute and panflute, guitar, charango (small guitar), bombo (cylinder drum) and the cajon which is a box drum. These instruments produce the handmade sound, even if the sounds are amplified with modern technology. Inti Maki is open to all nationalities, new members are always welcome, should only share the band's love for Latin American folk music.
Basics
All group members have been living in Hamburg for many years cultivating the Latin American tradition also through music. These traditions is passed on to new members and musical experience at that point is not essential. The four band members of Inti Maki have a very strong connection to their music. They play folk music with joy and passion. The music is their connection to their home country but all group members do identify themselves with the city of Hamburg and as far as they live in the district, also Billstedt. The leader of the band Inti Maki, Carlos Zapata (53), has lived in Hamburg for more than 20 years. The youngest member is Phill Entrich (28), joined by Marco Laines (59) and José Ramirez (59). The group was founded in 2016. "Our aim is to spread Peruvian and Latin American music to the Spanish- speaking community and to those people who are interested in our culture,” says Carlos Zapata. "For us it is very important to pass on Peruvian culture in general (dance, music, theatre) to the young Latin American and other origins. This goal we strongly pursue.” Stories that are passed on orally by the people, the older members of the group like to tell. Like, for example, the one about the origin of the charango, the little guitar. The Indigenous used to hide it under their poncho when they worked in the mines," says José Ramirez, "that's why the instrument is so small, so the ndigenous didn't have to give up their music, it was always there. In terms of sound, the instrument with five double strings works very well with the big guitar and produces a special sound that is a characteristic for Peruvian folk music. This also applies to the pan flute, which is also used by the group in many songs.
The group members speak Spanish and German. They rehearse intensively once a week on Thursday in the Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation, the rehearsal can last up to four hours. The members work in different professions, one member for example is a professional musician. The repertoire of the group consists mainly of own compositions by Carlos Zapata and José Ramirez. The band likes to perform and can often be seen at street festivals, at the REVUE der Kulturen or at the summer festival in the Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation.
ACTIVITIES
The music of Inti Maki is "like a journey across the Andes, across our continent, full of feeling from our soul" says José Ramirez. The spiritual side of folk music is a connection to the Indigenous and to the roots of his own culture. Spread of (musical) traditions is very important because it is mostly done in oral form. The music has its origin in old rituals, which are still practiced. The members of Inti Maki would like to pass on their knowledge, especially to young people. Therefore they want to give lessons at the Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation for children and also for adults who want to learn the traditional instruments of Latin American folk music. Carlos Zapata puts it in a nutshell: "Music is life, music is joy, music connects people, music is language!
Style
The stage outfit of the group is influenced by Latin American tradition as well: ponchos and colourful waistcoats with traditional patterns and pieces of clothing made of Alpaca wool. The performance of Inti Maki's music is cheerful and colorful. When the group performs at street festivals or at the REVUE der Kulturen in the Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation, the band appeals very well to the audience. The regular meetings in the Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation are very important for the group. About Billstedt, band leader Carlos Zapata says: "Billstedt is the district of friends, people of all origins mix here". For him, the multicultural environment of Billstedt and the openness towards other cultures is an important factor for feeling at home.
Dates
Thursday | 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Kultur Palast Hamburg
Contact
Contact person: Carlos Zapata
Kontakt via Kultur Palast Hamburg
Tel. 040-822 45 68 0
E-Mail: info@kph-hamburg.de