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
la preguntona
Inti-Illimani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
vaquiano de trueno y rayo
que mataba de a caballo
bajo su buena fortuna
hasta que lo arqueó la luna.
Dónde paró Rosa Cuecho
la del calzón amarillo
hasta que se hizo un ovillo
contra el fulgor de un cuchillo.
Cual habrá sido el anclaje
del que torcía los ríos
del que oficiaba los gajes
de la cruz y los corajes
de los que hilaron con frío
la mortaja de su viaje.
Qué fue de Ascanio Zarzalla
que amarró una nube al sueño
soldó el sueño a su metralla
y la metralla al empeño
hasta pasarse de agallas.
Habrán matado Balbina
cargo de pulso profano
que con hilos de neblina
y una aguja en cada mano
cosió su rabia al paisano.
Pero quién la luz entona
pero quién la sombra puebla
no preguntes, Preguntona,
que hubo sangre derramada
tras de tanta historia alzada,
tras de tanta tierra y niebla
The above lyrics are from the song "La Preguntona" by Inti-Illimani. The lyrics describe a series of characters, each with their own unique story, and asks where they have gone. The first character mentioned is Higinio Muna, a skilled horseman who was successful in battles but was eventually defeated. The second character is Rosa Cuecho, a woman who fought back against an attacker with a knife. The third character is someone who controlled rivers and had courage and faith, and the fourth character is Ascanio Zarzalla who had great bravery and used his dreams to fuel his determination. The last character mentioned is Balbina, who was a skilled seamstress and used her talents to express her anger.
The chorus of the song asks about the fate of these characters, but also acknowledges that their stories are just a small part of the larger story of a land where there has been bloodshed and struggles. The lyrics present a sense of loss and admiration for these people who faced challenges and had unique experiences. The song ultimately invites the listener to reflect on the stories and sacrifices of those who came before them.
Overall, "La Preguntona" is a passionate and evocative song that celebrates the resilience and courage of those who have fought for their beliefs and rights. It is a tribute to the human spirit and a call to remember the past, honor the present, and imagine a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Dónde estará Higinio Muna
Where could Higinio Muna be?
vaquiano de trueno y rayo
A cowboy who tamed thunder and lightning
que mataba de a caballo
Who hunted on horseback
bajo su buena fortuna
With the favor of luck
hasta que lo arqueó la luna.
Until the moon bent him out of luck
Dónde paró Rosa Cuecho
Where did Rosa Cuecho end up?
la del calzón amarillo
The woman in the yellow pants
que se fajaba los pechos
Who strapped her breasts
hasta que se hizo un ovillo
Until she curled up
contra el fulgor de un cuchillo.
Against the glare of a knife.
Cual habrá sido el anclaje
What could have been the anchor
del que torcía los ríos
Of him who bent rivers
del que oficiaba los gajes
Who carried out the tasks
de la cruz y los corajes
Of those who faced danger
de los que hilaron con frío
Of those who spun with cold
la mortaja de su viaje.
The shroud of his journey.
Qué fue de Ascanio Zarzalla
What happened to Ascanio Zarzalla?
que amarró una nube al sueño
Who tied a cloud to his dream
soldó el sueño a su metralla
Who welded the dream to his bullets
y la metralla al empeño
And the bullets to his determination
hasta pasarse de agallas.
Until he ran out of courage.
Habrán matado Balbina
They must have killed Balbina
cargo de pulso profano
A woman of ungodly spirit
que con hilos de neblina
Who sewed with threads of mist
y una aguja en cada mano
And a needle in each hand
cosió su rabia al paisano.
Stitched her fury to the peasant.
Pero quién la luz entona
But who sings about the light
pero quién la sombra puebla
But who populates the shadows
no preguntes, Preguntona,
Don't ask, Inquisitive One
que hubo sangre derramada
For there was spilled blood
tras de tanta historia alzada,
After so much raised history,
tras de tanta tierra y niebla
After so much land and mist
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fanny
on Hermanochay
Hola, mi padre tenia un grupo de musica andina y cantaba esta cancion. Mi padre hoy ya no está y me hubiera gustado entender la letra, no encuentro traducción por ningún lado, alguien sabe la traducción?