Date of Award
4-2012
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Music
First Advisor
Dr. Matthew Steel
Second Advisor
Dr. Stanley Pelkey
Third Advisor
Dr. Martha Councell-Vargas
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Ann Miles
Keywords
Flute, Folk music, Otavalo, commercialization, authenticity, tradition
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This thesis consists of an intimate study of the value and meaning of flute music of indigenous musicians in the contemporary world. This is accomplished by interviewing and observing indigenous panpipe and flute musicians in and near the Plaza de Ponchos Market in Otavalo, Ecuador. Collected personal stories, historical accounts, and recordings and analysis of the music all provide insight into the purpose and traditions the music holds. While the musicians attempt to maintain a sense of cultural authenticity, modernization has altered the importance of customs and music as Otavalo moves toward a more commoditized and urbanized community, reflecting ethnic values through invented traditions and fragmented identity. As the world tends toward homogenization of culture, this research increases awareness of how music can and does contribute to the world's multicultural experience in today's society. Through the analysis of the effect of change on tradition by means of commercialization, this research depicts the values of Otavalan society as implied in their music expressions. This thesis concludes that musicians and instrument vendors in Otavalo construct their own identity around music, as it is continuously and increasingly intertwined with trade, and ultimately success. Music is not only commercial or ritual, but a great many things to the Otavalans.
Recommended Citation
Halpin, Brenna C., "Flutes, Festivities, and Fragmented Tradition: A Study of the Meaning of Music in Otavalo" (2012). Masters Theses. 50.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/50
Comments
A print copy of the thesis is also available in the Music Library, in the Dalton Center at call number ML 9999 .H357