The Afro-Peruvian Museum of Zaña

During the years 2010-2013 I made some short documentaries for the Afro-Peruvian Museum of Zaña (Lambayeque-Peru), recording the reconstruction of the "Afro-Peruvian musical instruments of the 18th century" with my production company 1Frame Producciones.

The research was carried out by Dr. Luis Rocca Torres and Dr. Sonia Arteaga who wanted to value and recover the cultural heritage of this Lambayecana town, using as a source of inspiration the paintings of the Spanish Bishop Martínez de Compagñón and the paintings of the artist Peruvian Francisco Pancho Fierro. These instruments are: The Checo of Zaña, the Botija Drum, the Compañón Marimba and the Long Trunk Drum.

El Checo de Zaña

Synopsis:
The Checo is a gourd from the north coast of Peru that went from being used in Lambayeque homes to becoming a musical instrument in the 19th century. I invite you to learn about the history of Checo thanks to this video produced by the Afro-Peruvian Museum of Zaña.
The video was presented at the Peruvian Ministry of Culture in 2011 to request that Checo be recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation, winning that recognition. This triumph will be a milestone for the Museum, recognized as a fundamental social actor for the safeguarding of the Historical Memory of the Afro-Peruvian people.
You can read the news here.

Data sheet:
Directed and Editing by: Gisella Burga Polo and Javier Exposito Martin
Research by: Luis Rocca Torres and Sonia Arteaga
Production: Afro-Peruvian Museum of Zaña.
Voice in Off: Hidelbrando Briones Vela
Music: Earth Hit. Author: Juan Medrano Cotito.
Place: Zaña. Lambayeque. Peru.
duration: 6min. 56 sec.
Language: Spanish

The botija drum

Synopsis:
Two young men from Zaña reconstruct the Botija Drum, an ancient drum made with a clay and leather vessel.
This drum from the 18th century was used by the ancient inhabitants of the valley to liven up their festivities, but it became extinct at the beginning of the 20th century. Following the instructions of the director of the Afro-Peruvian Museum, Carlos Urbina and Emanuel Briones, they show us the techniques to make a jug drum. To celebrate such an important event, more children of all ages immediately join the party, demonstrating their artistic skills by playing traditional musical instruments such as the cajita, the jaw of a donkey and different drums, and dancing to black rhythms just as their ancestors used to do. . Do not miss this unforgettable party!!

The Marimba

Synopsis:
Two traditional Afro music teachers from Esmeraldas (Ecuador) respond to the call of Luis Rocca and Sonia Arteaga, Directors of the Afro-Peruvian Museum of Zaña, to help them in the reconstruction of a special Marimba, which appears in one of the paintings by Martínez de Compañon during the XVIII century.
Thanks to this research work and collaboration between this two countries, the people of Peru are knowing part of Afro-Peruvian history and its cultural legacy.

The Long Trunk Drum

Photo gallery

Synopsis:
Professor Amadou NDoye arrives in Zaña from Senegal to learn about the Afro-Peruvian musical instruments. This time it is a Long Trunk Drum that appears reflected in the paintings of Pancho Fierro and Atanasio Fuentes in the 19th century.
We visited the carpenter in charge of carrying out this special work, Mr. Cevallos from La Otra Banda so that he could teach us the techniques used for its construction and we enjoyed the presentation of this new musical instrument thanks to the art of the local youth who, once again, delighted us with their art and their dances.

"El Sueño de Luis"

Proyecto documental

Después de 10 años regresé a Perú para reunirme con mi querido amigo Luis Rocca Torres en el Museo Afroperuano de Zaña y celebrar juntos el 20 aniversario del Museo.

Después de haber sido testigo del trabajo realizado por Luis, Sonia Arteaga y todos los voluntarios del Museo, uno de mis mayores anhelos era regresar para contar la historia de vida, trabajo, investigaciones y experiencias vividas por Luis en un documental. Escribí el proyecto con el apoyo de Luis y, después de varios intentos, gané el concurso nacional de proyectos documentales del Ministerio de Cultura Peruano. Los Estímulos Económicos para la Cultura del 2024 me permitieron formar un equipo de trabajo formado principalmente por mujeres lambayecanas para contar una historia que ha cambiado el panorama histórico, cultural y musical de nuestra región.

Gracias al apoyo incondicional de mi amiga y socia Claudia Céspedes Llanos y mi productora general, Lady Vinces Cruz, iniciamos un viaje hacia Zaña para rodar mi Ópera prima como directora de documentales. Allí vivimos muchas aventuras y después de 34 días de rodaje, ahora estamos en proceso de postproducción de nuestro documental "El Sueño de Luis", un sueño que también es el mío para contar por fin esa historia nunca antes contada, la historia del pueblo afroperuano en la región Lambayeque a través del trabajo y las investigaciones del director del Museo Afroperuano, Luis Rocca Torres.

Seguimos trabajando para hacer este sueño realidad y poder verlo pronto en una sala de cine. Siempre estaré muy agradecida a todo el equipo que me acompañó y a todos los amig@s de Zaña y Lambayeque que nos abrieron las puertas de su vida para hacer este sueño realidad.