Peruvian whistling vessels, huacos silbadors have been used in Peru for thousands of years and span many cultures from the Vicus (1000 BC to 300 AD), to the Inca (1100-1500 AD). In between these early and late cultures, these vessels were widely found and are known to have been created by the Chorreren, Chavin, Moche, Nazca, Salinar, Nepena, Chimu, Lima and Chancay cultures. Whistling vessels are still used today in northern Peru. In the curandismo tradition of the Peruvian northern coastal areas, the huacos silbadors are in use by curanderos with their healing altars, or mesas, to call in the spirits for protection and/or healing. Like other artes or medicine pieces, on their mesas, huacos silbadors are powerful allies and hold great medicine and power.

The vessels are handmade with great artistry of clay and are fired creating a delicate ceramic vessel. The clay typically used is either black or orange in color. These vessels come in various styles and two basic designs: the single chamber vessels or the two-chamber vessels. A single or dual whistle is incorporated in the construction. Some experts believe the dual chambered vessels were filled with water and played by moving the water from one chamber to the other producing the air pressure that sounds the whistle. In fact the famous contemporary Peruvian sound healer, Tito LaRosa, uses the dual chamber vessels in this fashion. The single chamber huacos silbadors are played by blowing into the vessels opening.