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Archive: Peruvian Whistling Vessels

Archeological digs in Peru and neighboring countries have previously uncovered vessels of many shapes and sizes. Though considered interesting examples of Pre-Columbian pottery, they were incorrectly described as "water jugs with a novelty whistle built in," with explanations of how water-filled vessels produced a whistle when rocked from side to side. If this were the specific purpose, they would not have been important enough to be included as burial goods. A more refined hypothesis about these instruments was proposed in 1980. Namely, Peruvian whistling vessels were likely used in sacred ceremonies, much the same as drumming is used in Native American healing ceremonies. They act as a psycho-acoustic doorway to alternative realms of consciousness. These realms are used for divination, healing, and journeying.

The whistling vessels create a very unusual sound when one blows into their mouthpiece — a noise similar in pitch and intensity to a smoke alarm going off. Blown in concert, several vessels create a wealth of harmonies and overtones not otherwise audible. The sound creates an altered state of consciousness for the individual blower. Audiotape recordings of a group session cannot recreate the same vibrations that cause this altered state. However, blowing into a vessel in combination with the tape playback can create the altered state.

In his book, Animated Earth, Daniel Statnekov describes the re-emergence of these vessels into our time, how he found them, and how he discussed their most probable purpose. He produced and disseminated many sets of seven vessels in order to bring the vessels into public consciousness.

Statnekov's student, Don Wright, continues producing these sets and has had many additional insights into their meaning. His sets of four, eight (the standard set) or twelve vessels are made from four molds out of two colors of clay. In 1996, Don Wright invited Nancy Connor, President of the Foundation, to apprentice with him. She describes the process as one of remembering, rather than learning for the first time; the vessels themselves taught her how to create them. Don and Nancy have produced several sets of vessels together, one of which was given to a group of Q'ero shamans in Peru. Nancy has had additional insights about the vessels, how they may be used, and a new way of producing them. She is creating the first prototype in the shape of a flute, with a set of ten resonators along the barrel. This one instrument will act in the same manner as a full set (eight vessels) of Don's vessels. A number of Peruvian shamans have said that the vessels "call the Apus," their most sacred nature spirits. They believe that the totem figures on the front half of the vessels represent an astronomer or priest. The one exception is the six-fingered vessel figure they called Pachamama, which refers to their image of the Earth Mother.

Although it has been commonly believed that the vessels are no longer being produced for current use by South American shamans, in October of 1998, a Mexican shaman informed Nancy that vessels similar to the ones produced by Don are still being produced and used by shamans in Mexico. He went on to share his culture's uses for the vessels. His information coincides with the insights that Dan, Don and Nancy have had regarding these vessels.

Visit Don Wright's web site at http://www.entheosound.com. for more information.