The group was formed by students at Universidad Técnica del Estado at Santiago, Chile in 1967. In 1973 as they were on tour abroad, General Augusto Pinochet launched a coup d'etat and took power. Having heard of the numerous extra-judicial killings of many fellow artists by Chile's army, they took up residence in Italy, resulting in "the longest tour in history" for Inti-Illimani as they lived in de facto exile. They continued their efforts supporting Chilean democracy internationally; magnitizdat copies of their work continued to be widely distributed in Chile. In September 1988, days after they were no longer banned from Chile, they began touring Chile again. They helped organize the voting down of the referendum that would have re-elected Pinochet. Recently, they were actually supported by Chile as representatives of Chilean culture.
In the past the group was musically led by Horacio Salinas and politically led by Jorge Coulon. However, in 2001 there was a controversial split of the group, which started when three key members left the group (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas). They were replaced by Manuel Meriño (from Entrama), Cristián González and Juan Flores. Due to the importance of departed members, many called into question the ability of the remainder to carry on the Inti-Illimani name. Meanwhile, the three departed members started their own group they call Inti-Histórico. From 2005 there are two groups:
Inti-Illimani New (Coulon brothers)
Inti-Illimani Histórico (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas)
Membership
In August 1967 Inti-Illimani's earliest membership consisted of:
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Luis Espinoza
Oscar Guzmán
Ciro Retamal
Pedro Yáñez
In 1968 Inti-Illimani's membership consisted of:
Horacio Salinas (Musical director and main composer)
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Ernesto Perez de Arce
Current line-up of the "Inti-Illimani Nuevo":
Jorge Coulon
Christian González
Daniel Cantillana
Juan Flores
Efren Viera
Marcelo Coulon
Manuel Meriño
César Jara
Current line-up of the "Inti-Histórico":
Horacio Salinas
Horacio Durán
José Seves
Jorge Ball
Fernando Julio
Camilo Salinas
Danilo Donoso
Other members in the history of the group:
Ernesto Pérez de Arce
Homero Altamirano
José Miguel Camus
Renato Freyggang
Pedro Villagra
Cueca de la C.U.T.
Inti-Illimani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
maciza como el acero,
que velas por las conquistas
del trabajador chileno.
El pampino, el chilote, caramba,
y el campesino
con los mineros luchan, caramba,
Por su destino sí, caramba,
preciosa joya,
la unidad de la clase, caramba,
trabajadora.
Qué vivan los obreros, caramba,
del mundo (de Chile) entero.
The song "Cueca de la C.U.T." by Inti-Illimani praises the Central Única de Chile (C.U.T.), a labor union that represented workers in Chile during the 20th century. The lyrics describe the C.U.T. as strong and solid like steel, and highlight its commitment to fighting for the rights and achievements of Chilean workers. The song specifically mentions different groups of workers, such as the pampino (workers who extract nitrate from the desert), the chilote (workers from Chiloé archipelago), and the campesino (peasant farmers), as well as the mineros (miners), who all fight for their destiny.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of the unity of the working class, stating that it is a precious jewel that should be celebrated. The final lines of the song expand the message to include all workers in the world, declaring that they should all live and be celebrated. The song serves as a tribute to the labor movement and the struggle for workers' rights in Chile.
Line by Line Meaning
Central Única de Chile,
Refers to the powerful Chilean labor union, Central Única de Trabajadores, which is as strong as steel.
maciza como el acero,
The union is unyielding and tough as steel that looks after the welfare of Chilean workers.
que velas por las conquistas
The union safeguards the achievements of the workers.
del trabajador chileno.
The union fights for the rights of Chilean laborers.
El pampino, el chilote, caramba,
This line lists the Chilean working class like the pampino, the chilote, etc.
y el campesino
This line refers to farmers, who stand with the miners to fight for their cause.
con los mineros luchan, caramba,
The working-class unites itself to support the miners in their struggle for their rights.
por su destino
The working-class stands behind the miners to help them steer their fate.
Por su destino si, caramba,
This line reasserts that the workers stand together with the miners to support their goal.
preciosa joya,
The author compares the unity of the working class to a precious gem and praises it as such.
la unidad de la clase, caramba,
The author applauds the union of Chilean workers who extend their support to the miners' strike.
trabajadora.
A reference to the working-class which stands behind the miners in their struggle for their rights.
Qué vivan los obreros, caramba,
The line is a cheer for the workers of Chile worldwide and wishes them success in all their endeavors.
del mundo (de Chile) entero.
This line emphasizes that the workers' struggle for their rights is a universal challenge that knows no borders or classes.
Contributed by Savannah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gianfranco Anativia
Central Única de Chile,
maciza como el acero,
que velas por las conquistas
del trabajador chileno.
El pampino, el chilote, caramba,
y el campesino
con los mineros luchan, caramba,
por su destino
Por su destino sí, caramba,
preciosa joya,
la unidad de la clase, caramba,
trabajadora.
Qué vivan los obreros, caramba,
del mundo (de Chile) entero.
Gianfranco Anativia
Central Única de Chile,
maciza como el acero,
que velas por las conquistas
del trabajador chileno.
El pampino, el chilote, caramba,
y el campesino
con los mineros luchan, caramba,
por su destino
Por su destino sí, caramba,
preciosa joya,
la unidad de la clase, caramba,
trabajadora.
Qué vivan los obreros, caramba,
del mundo (de Chile) entero.
julio juacida
Héctor Pavez fue Cantante, compositor y escritor chileno, nacido en 1932. Compositor/cantante de canciones folklóricas desde los años 50.
Fundó el Conjunto Millaray con su esposa, Gabriela Pizarro, en 1958, y los dejó en 1964. Exiliado desde 1973, murió en París en 1975. También conocido como "Indio Pavez".
A él le debemos la “Cueca de la CUT, que se ha convertido en un himno para los trabajadores sindicalizados en Chile.
Sergio Riquelme Jara
VIVA CHILE LINDO
Humberto Riquelme
viva CHILE mi alma
Mario
Que vivan los obreros caramba del mundo entero
VHAKscott
Viva chile!!!!!!
Pablo cesar vasquez pino
Chile es emocionante apasionante inspirador su flora y fauna te robaran el corazon y conquistan tu alma chile me motivo a aprender turismo y ahora lo practico en youtube mi canal se llama pablo cesar vazques pino maravillate con la fiesta de la querencia de la comuna de la estrella 2020 querencia significa el amor a las tradiciones del campo chileno y el reencuentro con nuestras raices la comuna de la estrella es un pueblo de la sexta region de chile de la provincia de cardenal caro la estrella es una comuna atractiva turisticamente yaque cuenta con la plaza de arma con lo mejor de la arquitectura moderna familiar te sentiras como estar en europa el cerro la copa con cenderro rodeado de naturaleza y arquitectura con miradores al pueblo equipado para realizar parrilladas y el mirador principal en lo mas alto del cerro con vista al pueblo enterro ideal para san valentin la fiesta de la chicha un producto 100% artesanal muestra como se estrae la chicha desde tiempos remotos hasta la modernidad y el festival del pavo muy tradicional gastronomica 100% pavo de campo y sus creaciones pavo al jugo empanadas de pavo y longaniza de pavo suscribete y comparte
Javier Juárez Romero
¡ Viva Latino América !
Richard Paul Clarke Carvallo
MUY BUENA
Leopolda
👍👏👏👏👏🇮🇹💞💕💓