Pirériechas act as social mediators and "express sentiments and communicate events of importance to the Purépecha communities.
"[1] Pirekua ensembles usually include "two or three guitars, strings and winds, [and] a small brass band, or [pirériecha are] unaccompanied.
[1] Pirekua is related to the son and the waltz, and Henrietta Yurchenco points out that both the son and pirekua are in a slow triple meter, performed as duets, feature rhythmic sequence against fixed patterns in the accompaniment, and use two to three chords (I-IV-V) in major or minor with little modulation.
[2] The subjects of pirekua lyrics range "from historical events to religion, social and political thought and love and courtship, making extensive use of symbolism.
"[1] Lyrics make frequent use of flowers as symbols of femininity, passion, and local identity.