Grupo Siembra

Juan José Chukisengo wasn't the only musical artist to return to Andahuaylillas last week, the Catholic music group Siembra* came back at Hermana Rosario's invitation to provide the music for the school's anniversary mass. They spent Monday through Wednesday going through all the classrooms in the school and practicing songs. They picked out about 20 students to form the mass choir, and another 8 to be the band.

Siembra's music is steeped in liberation theology. The kingdom of God is identifiable by it's “perfect justice.” It's also very pretty. Students of all ages sang with gusto during the mass, even some 11^th grade boys who belted out the closing hymn to Mary with all the fervor (and none of the musicality) you could ask for.

For those who are curious about Siembra's music, here's a link to their page, and a video of a live performance from 2013.

* “Sow,” as put seeds the dirt.