Len David Cobo recording grandmothers Jansasoy Rosa and Maria Luisa Jansasoy, Kamentsa Putumayo people - Colombia

LEÓN DAVID COBO | COLOMBIA
1973, Buga, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Lives and works in Colombia. Sound.
MARÍA CRISTINA RINCÓN
1964, Bogotá, Colombia. Lives and works in Colombia. Research and editorship.
CLAUDIA RODRÍGUEZ
1961, Bogotá, Colombia. Lives and works in Colombia. Editorship.

De agua, viento y verdor, 2014, sound installation.
Courtesy: Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar – ICBF, Ministerio de Cultura de Colombia, Fundalectura.

Ethnic group: Sáliba.
Language: Sáliba (endangered).
Speaker: Agueda Pumené.
Location: Department of Vichada and Casanare, Colombia.
Population: 2.231.

This piece is a compilation of stories for children from nine Colombian ethnic groups whose languages are on the verge of extinction. Languages include Kamëntša, Korebaju, Embera Chamí, Sáliba, Kokama, Yagua, Awá Pit, Ette Taara and Dumuna. The recorded audio in Sáliba language is entitled “Dada Kalamancha” (To Grandmother Kalamancha).

To Grandmother Kalamancha
Lolo lolo, lololololo
Go to sleep little brother.
Your grandmother is sick
and your mother goes to visit her.
She has not brought you with her,
but she will return soon.
I roast a topochito for you
I give you majure
so do not worry
and sleep while waiting for your mom.
Lolo, lololololó
I ask for sleep
to grandmother Kalamancha,
the iguana that makes children fall asleep
To Grandmother Kalamancha
I ask leading sleep
so that this baby can sleep.