La Guaneña

The song 'La Guaneña' performed by Chimizapagua is a traditional Colombian folk song that has been passed down through generations, often associated with the region of Nariño and the city of Pasto. The lyrics tell a story of betrayal and disappointment in love, but also of pride and valor.

The repeated lines 'Guay que sí, guay que no, La Guaneña me engañó' suggest a dialogue of internal conflict, where the singer feels deceived by La Guaneña, a woman from the region. The mention of 'un peso y cuatro riales' (a peso and four reales) indicates a transaction or promise, perhaps a dowry or a pledge of love, which she did not honor. The phrase 'Con tal que la quiera yo' implies that the singer's affection was conditional upon this agreement, which was broken. The betrayal is further emphasized when it is revealed that La Guaneña took the money and spent it with another man.

However, the song also portrays La Guaneña as a figure of strength and resistance. The verse 'Cascajal Cascajal, La Guaneña al frente va, Con un fusil en el hombro, Alerta pa' disparar' paints her as a revolutionary or a warrior leading the way with a rifle, ready to fight. This duality gives the song a complex character, blending themes of personal betrayal with those of regional pride and the valor of women in the face of conflict. The song, therefore, serves as a cultural emblem, reflecting the history and spirit of the people of Nariño.