Bosque Vacío
Aves de Nahá

Aves de Nahá is the result of an interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge between anthropology, ornithology, and the Lacandon community of Nahá, Chiapas, México. It centers on the aural relationships between the Lacandon people and the birds of their jungle. The work invites us to listen to birds as sentient beings – creatures whose calls and songs announce shifts in weather and time cycles, accompany rituals, and participate in a shared environment where the jungle itself is a living entity and meaning arises from the ongoing interactions among humans, animals, plants, spirits, and gods within it.

More info about each track / bird species:

Kok ta’ (Clay-colored Thrush – Turdus grayi)
The song of the Kok ta’ is regarded as an omen of the changing annual cycle. Rhythmically repeated in the forest, its call is perceived as a message from nature marking the passage of time. In this way, the Kok ta’ signals beginnings and rebirths, reaffirming the bond between humans and the living fabric of the jungle.

K’ambul (Great Curassow – Crax rubra)
Associated with fire in Lacandon cosmology. The deep call of the K’ambul holds symbolic meaning and according to the women of Nahá, it can be summoned to assist with domestic tasks – for example, in the preparation of ceremonial tamales called nah wah in Maya (sacred tamales). The K’ambul is a presence that partakes in the balance between fire, earth, and time.

Ch’om (Black Vulture – Coragyps atratus)
In Lacandon cosmology, animals are protected by spirits that oversee hunting practices. The Ch’om ensures these are carried out ethically, punishing excess by causing weapons to rot or meat to become inedible. It is a sacred mediator that safeguards respect for the natural balance of the jungle and its connection to the divine.

Säk Ch’ich’ (White Hawk – Pseudastur albicollis)
In Lacandon cosmology, birds like the Säk Ch’ich’ announce climate changes; its call signals the imminent arrival of rain. This hawk is seen as a sacred animal, a “domestic of the gods,” and killing it is considered a serious offense. Such an act may bring natural punishments, reflecting the deep connection between nature, spirituality, and cosmic balance.

Säk buj (Barn Owl – Tyto alba)
Although once viewed by the Lacandon as messengers announcing visits, barn owls are now often feared. This shift comes from Tseltal influence, where their call is seen as an ill omen and linked to witchcraft. Their cry, resembling a woman's voice, reinforced the belief that they are witches in disguise. Today, they are commonly driven away when they approach homes.

K’in (Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana)
It’s name means “sun, day, prophecy.” The K’in is regarded as a messenger bird that warns of danger. Its call varies depending on the message, such as alerting to the presence of a snake or an impending accident. According to the Lacandon, the gods taught it to speak to humans, expressing a deep bond sustained through the active listening of its voice.

All tracks composed and performed by Leena Lee and Guillermo Guevara

Mixed and mastered by Guillermo Guevara
Field recording of Kok ta’and K’ambul courtesy of Fernando González-García.

Cover art by Leena Lee