Huaco silbadores represent the beautiful and mystical melodies of ancient civilizations, often imitating sounds of the wind and animal life.
Pre-Colombian societies of northern Peru were able to develop complex hydraulic engineering technologies that were used to create the huaco silbadores. Huaco silbadores, which literally translates into sacred whistling vessels, are clay instruments whose main mechanism of operation depends on the use of the water.
These impressive, hand built clay instruments contain encrypted powers of the four elements (earth, fire, water, wind). Modeled with clay and water, baked with fire and, once fired, displaces air through a whistle to create ancient melodies.
Where do whistling vessels come from?
In ancient Peru, huacos silbadores (whistling vessels), were found in temples or residences of curacas (chiefs) and warriors as funerary offerings and also in children’s tombs. They are said to have fulfilled functions both decorative and symbolic and were likely part of sacred rituals.
Though most of these vessels are intended for liquids and have some sort of spout, there are also plates and bowls. Figures are often hollowed and form part of the whistle mechanism, often serving as a form of air compression.
Animals are also frequently depicted, especially animals that emit sounds similar to those emitted by the vessel. For instance, seagulls, macaws, small birds, wolves and more.