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This lullabye is called “Hermanita Irrelisa” which translates” Little Sister Irrelisa”
Little sister Irrelisa, our brother is called Achipito
Little Sister Irrelisa, our brother is called Achipito
The husband of another is not the husband I can have
I’m stuck with my husband, my husband
Men have made attempts to take me to be their wife
But I never wanted them, this is who I am: Rocalia
Here I am, Rocalia, at the foot of the sail
The sail of the boat that has the figures of two stars
When it opens like a canopy, there I am, Rocalia
The woman that steers the boat by the mast of the sail
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This instrumental features a 6-hole flute melody influenced by Spanish origins, with an unknown name. This melody feels like a party, where the whole town is invited and everything is right in the world. It always puts a smile on my face.
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This lullabye is called “Binder deg Naawai” which translates “In Binder’s House.”
I’m the one here that is drinking
I’m in Aruza, singing this song at the foot of the zapote tree
We are singing in Binder’s house
We here, we are the women of the village of Aruza
Our basketry is better than what other women make
We women in Aruza, no one is better than us
I who am here, I’m drinking here
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This traditional chant is called “Aquacerit” which translates to A Small Waterfall.
Oh my God, this is the song of our ancestors
When we are told of this world being judged with horrific winds
That also is something we abhor.
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This instrumental feature a medley of two 3-hole flute melodies. The A section, “Cocordee,” and the B section, “Tadaat,” depict two heroic mythical creatures that have no direct translation to known animals outside the Wounaan tribe. Performed by Rebecca Kleinmann on flute, these melodies beautifully represent “life in the rain forest.”
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This lullabye is called “Melucito Darienag Mataar” which translates “Trip to the Darien.”
My husband is Malucito told me the following
“I’m going to the Darien, wait for me here,” he said
So, I waited for him
But I don’t like drinking alone
So, I waited and waited
When I heard his motor returning, I got mad at him
My husband, Melucito, says he’ll help me out so I can get to the river
Now I’m here in Aruza in the house of our brother
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This lullabye is called “Jayadama Wald” which translates “Waldo my Husband.”
Husband Waldo, Waldo, Waldo
My husband is Waldo, Waldo
My husband is like a boy, not an adult
That’s why I don’t drink
My dad, Josecito, gave me an adult to be my husband
So, I’m married to an old man
I am a woman from the San Juan River
So, I don’t like to drink
If my dad had not given me to an old man
I wouldn’t be living with this elderly man.
This has been hard for me.
So, stepdaughters, take me down to the river
Whichever of you wants to help me
Please take me down to the river
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This instrumental features a melody called “Hakos” which translates to vulture and is another example of ceremonial 3-hole flute melodies that depict folklore of native animals. This haunting melody immediately struck me with its primitive yet deep nature.
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This lullabye is called Meuk’aar which translates “Native of Aruza.”
Here I am, it’s me, it’s me, I’m here
Here I am, but I don’t know how to sing like this
I’m singing today for the first time
I’m a woman who lives in Aruza
And I’m here today singing like this
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This traditional chant is called “Haaihi jeeu nam” which translates “Prayers to Creator God.”
Oh my God
When you say that the sun will turn to darkness
That is something we don’t want to see happen
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This album is a labor of love and is provided to you for free to honor and pay respect to the musical traditions of the Wounaan Tribe who influenced me on my musical journey. If you like what you hear, please donate here to help save their way of life:
www.nativefuture.org/wounaan
All songs are traditional, written by the Wounaan - melodies inspired by the spirit of the river with improvised and traditional lyrics, arranged by Hoyt Binder.
released September 2, 2021
Vocals - Various unknown women from the Wounaan Tribe in Panama, recorded by my father Ron Binder in the1970s while learning their language, traditions and musical styles. These Wounaan voices give us a glimpse into their beautiful and ancient melodies that transport you to a moment in time with traditional and improvised lyrics that communicate a day in the life of the Wounaan.
Guitars & Percussion- Hoyt Binder
Flute- Rebecca Kleinmann
Bass- Nick Loxx - Bass
Drums- Toby Harwell
Ronald Van Deurzen -Keyboards/ electronica
Produced by Hoyt & Saskia Binder
Engineered by Ron Binder, Hoyt Binder & Steven Leavitt
Art Design by Nick Loxx
Mixed by David Swope
Mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering
Thank you: God, for the gift of music, the Wounaan Tribe for its amazing culture and to all the musicians involved for contributing their heart and soul.
