Siwarcito

Porfirio Ayvar's song 'Siwarcito' is a poignant exploration of longing and the emotional journey of separation. The lyrics, sung in Quechua, a native language of the Andean region, evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and yearning. The repeated references to the sun ('intilla') and the moon ('killalla') emerging from different sides symbolize the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. This imagery suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the inevitability of change and the passage of time, which brings both separation and reunion.

The song's refrain, 'haku ripusun nispalla nichkaptiy, siwarcito,' which translates to 'let's go, let's leave, they say, siwarcito,' underscores a sense of departure and movement. The questions posed in the lyrics, such as '¿mamallayraqmi?' and '¿taytayraqmi?' (where is my mother? where is my father?), highlight the speaker's search for familial connections and the pain of being away from loved ones. This search for belonging and the emotional weight of separation are central themes in the song.

The plea '¡ama waqaspalla puquial!' (don't cry, spring!) adds a layer of natural imagery, connecting the speaker's emotions to the natural world. The spring, a source of life and renewal, is asked not to weep, symbolizing a desire for resilience and hope despite the hardships. The song's closing lines, which mention coming from the heights ('altutas hamuni') and not from the plains ('manas pampantachu'), further emphasize the speaker's journey and the challenges faced along the way. 'Siwarcito' is a heartfelt expression of the universal human experience of longing, separation, and the enduring hope for reunion.