Bringing my mother tongue to the music industry
Indigenous Bolivian singer Luzmila Carpio was stopped from singing in Quechua. But she fought to bring her culture 鈥� and her love of birds 鈥� onto the global stage.
Luzmila Carpio is a renowned singer from Bolivia and has shattered perceptions of what indigenous women can achieve. Born in 1949 in the foothills of the Andes, music was an important part of daily traditions and gave her a strong personal connection with birds, nature, and Mother Earth.
Aged 11, she moved to a bigger town and in just a few days found herself auditioning to sing on the radio. But despite impressing with her voice she wasn鈥檛 allowed to sing until she learned Spanish; she spoke the indigenous languages of Aymara and Quechua. Luzmila resolved to learn Spanish and to fit in. But she also began composing her own songs. Drawing inspiration from her childhood and nature, she decided she must bring her culture centre stage and sing in Quechua.
Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Sarah Kendal
(Photo: Luzmila Carpio; Credit: Nora Lezano)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Tue 19 Nov 2024 12:06GMT大象传媒 World Service
- Tue 19 Nov 2024 18:06GMT大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Tue 19 Nov 2024 23:06GMT大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Last Wednesday 03:06GMT大象传媒 World Service
Contact Outlook
Info on how we might use your contribution on air
Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary
Step into someone else鈥檚 life and expect the unexpected