We are Vallenatos, we leave the Valduparense to the Cachacos

Every time I hear a person from Valledupar say: “We Valduparenses” I remember that fight that the chief Consuelo Araujo gave because that traditional, small-town word was accepted and we proudly called ourselves Vallenatos, just as she described it in the Valle lexicon. of Upar, the book he wrote to preserve the native words of the region that were being left behind due to modernity.

There he talks about three ways to call Vallenato, as a demonym; such as the snare drum, guacharaca and accordion music typical of the region’s folklore and the disease that manifests itself in white spots on the extremities as described in the song ‘Compae Chipuco’

And it is true, our name is Valduparense according to the Royal Spanish Academy, but the word vallenato with a peasant, rustic connotation that was used in a derogatory way became popular and is now accepted; vallenato also has a connotation in the customs of the inhabitants of the center of Cesar, from El Paso, to Valledupar and its townships and the south of La Guajira, Fonseca, San Juan, la Jagua de El Pilar, el Molino, Villanueva, Urumita .

Within the framework of the celebration of the 474 years of Valledupar in the discussion ‘Prospectives of the Vallenata Culture’ promoted by the mayor of Valledupar, the historian Tomás Dario Gutierrez saw with concern that the vallenato is being lost: “Young people no longer say “I come, the teachers correct them, while in Antoquia that doesn’t happen.”

And it is true, the food is mixing with the Venezuelan culture, not only do they eat cheese arepa, but also stuffed and cachapa; The pot rides in Hurtado are over, the Guacoche jars are disappearing like the Chicote in Atanquez.

Vallenato music with its four airs: walks, merengues, sons and puyas are no longer distinguished because it has been merged with reggaeton, although UNESCO recognized Vallenato as cultural and intangible heritage of humanity, it is not commercially put into practice, thanks The Vallenata Legend Festival competitions are learned in a pure way.

It is a challenge that not only the new municipal and departmental administration, but all cultural unions and the inhabitants of the region have, to promote vallenatia, with these events of recognition of our culture, with historians, writers, storytellers, theater makers, musicians, poets, decimers, poets, composers who talk about our roots.

“The customs of my people have been lost, the calves no longer roar in the corrals, the compadres do not love each other as before, nor do the godchildren respect their godfathers.” Unfortunately, this song performed by the Zuleta brothers, composed by Dagoberto Daza, is still valid, Amalaya Volver.

By Yanitza Fontalvo Diaz

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