El Dorado 1997

Manu Chao's song "El Dorado 1997" is a poignant commentary on social injustice and the brutal realities faced by marginalized communities. The song's title references the infamous Eldorado dos Carajás massacre in Brazil, where landless workers were killed by police during a protest. The repetitive questioning in the lyrics, "¿Que paso que paso?" ("What happened, what happened?") serves to highlight the confusion, disbelief, and demand for answers surrounding the tragic event.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the sequence of events: the farmers planting their crops, the arrival of the police, and the subsequent death of the landless workers. The mention of "Chacinha no Eldorado" ("Massacre in Eldorado") underscores the gravity of the situation. Manu Chao's use of multiple languages—Spanish and Portuguese—reflects the multicultural and transnational nature of the issues he addresses, emphasizing that such injustices are not confined to one region or people.

The song also critiques the media and political response to the massacre. The line "A globo relato" refers to the Brazilian media giant Globo, suggesting that the media's portrayal of the event was perhaps biased or incomplete. The mention of politicians and the phrase "En pizza acabo" ("It ended in pizza") is a colloquial way of saying that the issue was swept under the rug or resolved without real justice. Finally, "Radio Bemba relato" refers to grassroots communication, implying that the true story is spread by word of mouth among the people, rather than through official channels.

"El Dorado 1997" is a powerful protest song that calls attention to the plight of the oppressed and the failures of institutions meant to protect them. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and the importance of remembering and speaking out against such atrocities.