Artist: Elsa Ayllon Vega Szeinfeld

Original recording date: circa 1981

This was a homemade recording that my Mom (Mama Elsita) made with her mom (Mama Polita) in 1981. It was an artistic production of Ecuadorian folkloric and indigenous music, that was performed in Arlington, Virginia November 19, 1981. They, along with other performers, wore Indigenous traditional dress. My mother and grandmother recited the introduction of the production in Spanish and Quechua (an indigenous language).

This is the English translation of what my Mother is saying: Here we are, amidst the landscape of our land, to offer you some modest melodies of our people, with rhythms and folkloric motifs from our Ecuador. Let us transport ourselves to Incan times, when the sun shone brilliantly in the clear and healthy minds of ingenious warriors. The Indigenous person, an expression of naturalness and simplicity, of native essence, as old as the people themselves. Everything that emerged from the land came to be called folklore.

The English explanation of what my Grandmother is saying in Quechua: She is welcoming the audience and letting them know that they will be performing indigenous music as an offering for the audience.

The song you will hear in this clip is called “Atahualpa”, composed by Carlos Bonilla Chávez in the 1940s. It is a song type called "Yumbo". The song blends traditional Andean music elements with contemporary sounds. It showcases intricate melodies and rhythms characteristic of Latin American music.

The song is about the last Inca emperor in the 1500s in Ecuador. In the 16th Century, the Incan Empire stretched from modern-day Colombia to Chile. Soon after that, as we know, European Colonization was forced, and it led to the collapse of the Incan Empire.

I am very proud of my mother, and her pride of the indigenous in Ecuador, which leads to my own pride about my heritage.

My mother would have celebrated her 97th birthday this past weekend.
From “Las Mañanitas” lyrics:

El día en que tú naciste

Nacieron todas las flores

En la pila del bautismo

Cantaron los ruiseñores

The song was written by Alfonso Esparza Oteo and has been performed by many great Mexican artists, including Vicente Fernandez.

Feliz cumpleaños, Mama Elsita 🎉🥳

Cover image: Mama Polita, Young Brigitta, and Mama Elsita before a park performance.

UNO Souls is a wellbeing organization that centers and nurtures each person so they may blossom into their fuller self. ✨

Artist: Elsa Ayllon Vega Szeinfeld

Original Recording Date: circa 1969

On this day (March 4), the 21st anniversary of my mother's transition, I would like to give her a tribute. Elsa Maria Policarpa Ayllon Vega Szeinfeld was a gifted musician from Ecuador. Sadly, there are no professional recordings of my mom performing. Thankfully, there are at least home recordings of her performing on either the piano, the guitar, or the accordion, along with singing. She also played the harp and the organ. She composed her own music and lyrics. She was a poet, a writer, and an artist. I will be highlighting her recordings here on UNO Camino Musical - through UNO Souls.

This piece is called La Malagueña Salerosa. This song is about a woman from Málaga, Spain. Lawrence J.J. Leonard wrote this in his blog: This song is a well-known “Son Huasteco” song from Mexico. It is in the public domain the same way the famous song, Cielito Lindo, is and also is very well-known in the Americas. Incidentally, Elpidio Ramírez registered the lyrics in 1947. However the song was already known as a type of “Huapango” which is a type of song written “long before the construction of the Cathedral of Huejutla.” In other words, it was already a well-known ballad. So, there seems to be no real claim to the song for Ramirez.

One thing that I know for sure, is that music is the universal language of love. Music is a connector, especially now. The post prompt is "What's on your mind?" Well, a lot... but at this present moment I am feeling joy because I found the memory drive with my mom's musical recordings.

🎼 Although the recordings are not high quality, I am grateful to have them. I will post her recordings on UNO Camino Musical - through @unosouls

UNO Souls is a wellbeing organization that centers and nurtures each person so they may blossom into their fuller self. ✨

Join us for a fascinating podcast chat with the authors of 'Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees' Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy.

We'll explore the profound connection between trees and spirituality. Tune in and celebrate the wisdom of trees!

Available here: https://a.co/d/aJ9TP12

UNO Souls is a wellbeing organization that centers and nurtures each person so they may blossom into their fuller self. ✨