Diru espainol zikina

Fermin Muguruza's song 'Diru espainol zikina' is a powerful critique of the violent history of Spanish colonization and its lasting impact on indigenous peoples. The repetitive use of 'Bala, bala, bala, bam! bam!' evokes the relentless gunfire and bloodshed that marked the conquest of the Americas. Muguruza highlights the arrogance and brutality of figures like Hernán Cortés, Pizarro, and Cristóbal Columbus, who are ironically honored on currency despite their roles as murderers and rapists. This stark imagery serves to condemn the glorification of these historical figures and the ongoing exploitation of the lands they once ravaged.

The song also delves into the cultural and environmental destruction wrought by colonization. The line 'Haragi erreari usaina dariola' (smelling of burnt flesh) conjures the horrific violence inflicted upon indigenous communities. Muguruza references Valdivia, a Spanish conquistador known for his ruthless tactics, to underscore the lessons of oppression and greed that continue to resonate. The metaphor 'Urrea nahi duzu? Urrea jan ezazu!' (You want gold? Eat gold!) criticizes the insatiable hunger for wealth that drove the colonizers, suggesting that their greed was both literal and metaphorical poison.

Muguruza's lyrics also touch on the broader theme of dirty money, symbolized by 'DIRU ESPAINOL ZIKINA!' (dirty Spanish money). He draws a parallel between Spanish currency and Basque banknotes, questioning how such tainted wealth can be tolerated. The mention of Lope de Aguirre, a notorious Basque conquistador, and 'Jainkoaren kolera' (God's wrath) further emphasizes the moral and ethical corruption associated with colonialism. Through this song, Muguruza calls for a reckoning with the past and a rejection of the glorification of colonial violence, urging listeners to confront the true cost of historical atrocities.