Revitalize Shipibo Language through Radio Program

The Shipibo Language radio program had an impressive first quarter, with an expanded reach that has attracted younger and older generations.

Axenon Ikanwe has been archiving the radio programs and the calls from more remote Shipibo communities in the Ucayali region. With this content and information, Alianza Arkana is working with ARIAP (our partner organization who leads the radio show) to analyze Shipibo language traits and conduct a comprehensive linguistic study. 

Ketty and Percy, the producers, are planning an language workshop in April bringing together a diverse group of Shipibos to discuss language use and practice in the face of rising Spanish language use amongst Shipibo communities. The idea of the workshop is to get a better sense of why, when, and where Shipibos choose to speak their mother tongue and what social norms operate to limit language practice in specific environments. 

The producers have diversified the program focusing more on social issues such as violence against youth in Shipibo communities and drug-alcohol abuse as a result of minimal access to economic and educational opportunities. The program is committed to also encouraging youth to continue studying and to practicing Shipibo to connect to cultural traditions and knowledge. 

Axenon Ikanwe has invited special guests to the program to provide an angle that focuses on the realities of being in communities that are distant from the city. Axenon Ikanwe hosted Pablo, one of the leaders of the Santa Clara Youth Association to discuss his new role as a community leader in Santa Clara. Pablo articulated his communities needs and his unique position of being a community leader at age 27. Having Pablo on the show is part of Axenon Ikanwe's initiative to bring in youth voices and encourage youth to speak Shipibo in public, highly-visible spaces.  

We have also had some good music on the station as Axenon Ikanwe has invited musicians to come perform in Shipibo. As the program is from 8pm-9pm local time, many Shipibos listen to the program before going to bed. People have called in saying that they laugh so hard from the program and appreciate this entertainment as they end their day. Many people love the program and often call in expressing their contentment with the program and congratulating the program producers for their wit, passion, and commitment to Shipibo language revitalization.