They are sung as an expression of Huachipaire religious myths to summon nature spirits, to help alleviate illness or promote well-being, as part of traditional ceremonies, and during the initiation of the new Eshuva singers.

[1] Eshuva songs and their function – the ailment they are meant to heal – are transmitted orally.

There exist only 12 known singers at present and, as transmission has been interrupted due to the Huachipaire youth's lack of interest, internal migration, and the influence and assimilation of external cultural elements, the songs are at risk of being lost.

[1] UNESCO recognized this risk by inscribing Eshuva on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2011.

"Houses of memory" are to be built as spaces for the practice of Eshuva and other oral traditions.