Wampís of Guayabal & Aboutface - Los Bosquesinos (People of the Forests)

An intercultural collaboration with the Indigenous Wampís forest community living in the Peruvian Amazon: exploring evocative soundscapes and ancient nampet songs in the Wampís Territory, to support indigenous-led conservation, and initiatives against illegal deforestation and acts of ecocide.

100% of all sales revenues from this release will directly go to the Wampís to protect their rainforest territory. 

During a month living with the Wampís in the Amazon Rainforest, Aboutface and the Wampis community collaboratively captured field-recordings, music instrumentation and traditional Wampis Nampets – ancient songs sung from the perspective of animals living in their rainforest environment.

These recordings then informed 4 improvised performances to articulate the story of the 4 Nampet songs, from within the habitat of each animal, to depict nature and culture as inseparable, and to propose that humanity is not exclusive to humans, but a multinaturalist characteristic available to all living organisms. 

Credits

Nampet songs:
Kutir, Wancha and Pinchichi by Elizabeth Huampankit Najamtai.
Manchi by Fernando Ijisam Tsakim.
Wañasú by Edilberto Ijisam Tello

Acoustic Percussion by Wampís band Guayabita:
Fernando Ijisam Tsakim, Edilberto Ijisam Tello, Larry Tello Huampankit, Jose Luis Cahuata Pipa, Tedy Tello Cahuata, Heyner Tello Cahuata, Eli Artista Antonio, Never Tello Huampankit

Violin by Taro. Peruvian bamboo quena, classical flute, acoustic guitar, electronics, composition and arrangement by Aboutface.

Original portrait painting of Fernando Ijisam Tsakim by Nyran Loomcal.
All other artworks, analogue photography and design by Aboutface.

Rainforest field-recordings identified and collected by The Wampís of Guayabal and Aboutface.

This album has been funded by Help Musicians. advised by Shapiom Noningo Sesen – Wampís leader and advisor to the Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación Wampís (GTANW), and supported by charities Size of Wales & Forest Peoples Programme.

All project partners have kindly provided their services with substantial subsidy to contribute to the project and ensure this release is financially accessible and effective in its fundraising aims. The Wampís community and I are incredibly grateful for this. A massive thanks to: Vincent Morris, your contribution as always is invaluble. Help Musicians, Dubplates & Mastering and Deepgrooves, your vital contributions made this release achievable, Carlos ‘Canti’ Saldana. Freerotation Festival and NTS Radio. Ruy & Dubplates & Mastering team. Deepgrooves. Aimee Lawrence (PR) for your patience and help. Anna at Size of Wales, without you this project would not have been possible.

Finally, Shapiom Noningo Sesen, thank you for you patience, guidance and trust in my vision– may Aratum continue to guide me. Yuminsuajme.



Wampís of Guayabal & Aboutface - Los Bosquesinos - 02 Wancha (Fish)

Ben. 
Channelling quiet voices for a bigger echo. 
Musician | Transdisciplinary Artist | Ecosocial Justice & Non-Human Rights | SEDarc PhD Studentship 2024 | NTS | Coordinates | AD93 | Dark Matters | Netil Radio I Freerotation | http://aboutface.bandcamp.com | http://aboutfacemusik.co.uk | Supported by @help_musicians_uk

If you would like to purchase my music: https://aboutface.bandcamp.com/
Website: https://www.aboutfacemusik.co.uk