Yma Sumac: Legend of the Sun Virgin

The Queen of Exotica

This post continues the Hukilau influenced theme with an Exotica Masterpiece. I was among those lucky enough to meet this lovely woman, Yma Sumac, at Hukilau in 2005. Lemme tell ya, folks... This chick is Exotica incarnate!

If, somehow, you have avoided becoming familiar with her over the years, please scurry on over to the Space Age Pop Music Page (http://www.spaceagepop.com/sumac.htm) and read all about her. There is also a great deal of information about her provided on the Last.fm site, at http://www.last.fm/music/Yma+Sumac/+wiki.

See also these expressly Yma-centric websites at:
http://www.yma-sumac.com/
and
http://www.sunvirgin.com/

This record is composed of pretty serious music which tells the story of The Sun Virgin. The notes on the back of the album cover explain it thusly:

A native Peruvian and descendant of the Inca Kings, Miss Sumac draws the inspiration for this new album from her colorful background and heritage. The ancient Incas worshiped the Sun God and the Moon Goddess Quilla. Every year the most beautiful maidens were selected to become Virgins of the Sun, serving in the convent which rivaled in splendor the Inca's palace.

The sacred flame was entrusted to the Virgins and if by neglect it was allowed to go out, it was believed that some terrible disaster would follow.

The Virgin assumed holy vows which bound her to the temple service. Should she prove unfaithful to her vows, she was buried alive, while her lover was strangled, and the village to which she belonged, razed "so that no stone stood upon another."

Damn!

Click on the following picture (and all the album covers posted on this site) 'cause it's a beauty, boy howdy!

Yma Sumac: Legend of the Sun Virgin

1. Karibe Taki
2. Witallia!
3. Lament
4. Kon Tiki
5. Montana
6. Zana
7. No Es Vida
8. Kuyaway (Inca Love Song)
9. Suray Suray
10. Mamallay!
11. Panarima
12. Ccori Canastitay