Every February 7, the area of the Humahuaca ravine dresses up as a party, since it was arranged to commemorate that day as National Day of the little carnival in homage to Edmundo Zaldívar, the creator of “El Humahuaqueño”.
This is one of the little carnivals best known throughout the world and this day pays homage to the creator of this hymn that went around the world by making known the name of the Quebradeños, the Jujeños and the traditional Carnival.
This little carnival was born in 1941 when Zaldívar worked at Radio El Mundo. There he played with the group called “Motivos de mi tierra”, which mainly performed songs from the Pampas and Cuyo.
To change the repertoire a bit, they asked this author to bring something new. and they ordered one composition of northern airs. Zaldívar followed this rhythm that became popular in such a way that the area became internationally recognized.
Edmundo passed away on February 7, 1978 at the age of 61. As a commemoration, every year a tribute act is held in the Humahuaca cemetery where his remains rest. In addition, the Carnival Festival is held there.
The remains of this composer rest in a mausoleum in the San Antonio de Humahuaca cemeterywhere a tribute is held every year and to which many music fans usually visit.
A story that traveled north
The creator of little carnival He was born in 1917 in Buenos Aires and was the son of a well-known guitarist and singer. His house was a meeting place for intellectuals like Ricardo Rojas and Leopoldo Lugones. When he was little he composed the zamba “Never, never”.
He served as a teacher at the National Dance School and had guitar academies throughout the country. He played different instruments such as the guitar, guitarrón, requinto, charango, harp, bass drum, quena and sikus, among others. Likewise, he was a diffuser and researcher of folklore.