Ka̱ bata

Alto Pacuare, Costa Rica. Photo: Susan Campos-Fonseca, 2023.

Ka̱ bata was composed by the indigenous artist Carlos Brenny Hidalgo, the text of the song is written in the Cabécar indigenous language, and says:

Ka̱ bata , je ská dikä tsikrke̱
Kal kalme̱ yis te isá , yis tachi ksäke̱
Kal kame̱ yis te isá yia tachi ksake̱. (1)

En las altas montañas, donde nace el río, estaba aquel árbol, bajo su sombra,
escuché a mi abuelo(a) cantar. (2)

In the high mountains, where the river originates, there was that tree, under its shadow, I heard my grandfather/mother sing. (3)

The Bulalë Sonic Arts Workshops organized by Ileana and Susan have the goal of opening a safe space for mothers and children to cultivate collective creation,weaving their ancestral and contemporary knowledge.

Kjala Bata’s Association Workshop, Alto Pacuare, Costa Rica. Photo: Ileana Obando, 2023.

This live recording was made in a place built to house for emotional and political ecologies that strengthen community ties. We listen to Ileana sharing the song “Ka̱ bata” with mothers and children, guiding the vocal construction in a joyful and intimate atmosphere.

The performance includes improvisation with the bröran (or Térraba) violin, an instrument whose practice and construction techniques are currently in danger of extinction. The instrument played by Susan was built by the indigenous artist Leonel Villanueva, the last connoisseur of this knowledge. Susan adds the use of handcrafted analog synthesizers, designed by sound artists Cristina Collazos (Bolivia) and Ricardo Schnidrig (Argentina), from De La Puta Electronics.

Bulalë Sonic Arts Workshops, “Ka̱ bata” Live Recording. Photo: Elisa Obando, 2023.

Ka̱ bata is part of the album Abismo blanco (IGM 2024) by Susan Campos-Fonseca, whose purpose is to support the struggles of indigenous peoples in America Abya Yala, especially in Costa Rica. Ileana and the Kjala Bata Association are recognized indigenous leaders, defenders of their culture and territory.

(1) Cabécar transcription and (2) Spanish translation by ileana Obando.
(3) English translation by Susan Campos-Fonseca.