This poetry compilation, Kuska Purikusun Runasiminchisrayku is a trilingual celebration in Quechua, English, and Spanish that challenges the stereotype of Indigenous languages being relics of the past or static entities. It offers a deep dive into Elva Amba Rebatta's life, memories, and inspirations, which originate in the Andean region of Apurimac and later transition to her more urban and cosmopolitan life in New York City. Elva's creativity offers a closer look at the history of the Quechua-speaking movement that exists outside the Andean region, in places like the United States, Spain, and Italy, where thousands of migrants continue to speak their native language, and many are involved in cultural initiatives to pass it on to new generations.-from the foreword by Amrico Mendoza-Mori
There [in Chincheros] I learned the language of my ancestorsIt was there that my language echoed, The beautiful language of the people.There my language bloomedAnd I could speak the marvelous Quechua.From that moment onI have loved my languageI never want it to dieI never want it to disappear-Elva Amba Rebatta, from "My Two Beloved Towns"
This poetry compilation, Kuska Purikusun Runasiminchisrayku is a trilingual celebration in Quechua, English, and Spanish that challenges the stereotype of Indigenous languages being relics of the past or static entities. It offers a deep dive into Elva Amba Rebatta's life, memories, and inspirations, which originate in the Andean region of Apurimac and later transition to her more urban and cosmopolitan life in New York City. Elva's creativity offers a closer look at the history of the Quechua-speaking movement that exists outside the Andean region, in places like the United States, Spain, and Italy, where thousands of migrants continue to speak their native language, and many are involved in cultural initiatives to pass it on to new generations.-from the foreword by Amrico Mendoza-Mori
There [in Chincheros] I learned the language of my ancestorsIt was there that my language echoed, The beautiful language of the people.There my language bloomedAnd I could speak the marvelous Quechua.From that moment onI have loved my languageI never want it to dieI never want it to disappear-Elva Amba Rebatta, from "My Two Beloved Towns"
