Madre Chacarera

Los Manseros Santiagueños, a renowned folk group from Argentina, bring to life the essence of their homeland through the song 'Madre Chacarera.' This song is a heartfelt tribute to the 'chacarera,' a traditional Argentine folk dance and music genre, personified as a nurturing and revered mother figure. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the chacarera as the 'reina y flor de la alegría' (queen and flower of joy), symbolizing its central role in the cultural and emotional life of the people.

The song's imagery is rich with metaphors that connect the chacarera to the land and its people. Descriptions like 'diosa de pechos hinchados de leyendas y poesías' (goddess with breasts swollen with legends and poetry) and 'mujer sembrada de sueños corazón de miel y Enero' (woman sown with dreams, heart of honey and January) evoke a sense of fertility, creativity, and warmth. The chacarera is depicted as a source of comfort and identity, a 'poncho cálido de adobe' (warm adobe poncho) that envelops and protects its people.

The song also highlights the communal and ritualistic aspects of the chacarera. References to 'misas salamanqueras' (salamanca masses) and 'diablo quichua cantada en la carne de la tierra' (Quichua devil sung in the flesh of the earth) underscore its deep roots in local traditions and beliefs. The chacarera is not just a dance or a song; it is a living, breathing entity that embodies the spirit of the land and its inhabitants. Through 'Madre Chacarera,' Los Manseros Santiagueños celebrate the enduring legacy and cultural significance of this beloved folk tradition.