Calagualero

Daniel Viglietti's song "Calagualero" paints a vivid picture of the lives of the calagualeros, individuals who harvest the calaguala fern in the rugged terrains of the sierra. The song opens with a description of these workers, likening them to washerwomen with large bundles on their heads, moving silently and cautiously to avoid the landowners and the dangers of the wild. The calagualeros venture into the most treacherous parts of the mountains, where venomous snakes and thorny bushes abound, to find the elusive calaguala fern.

The lyrics delve into the hardships faced by the calagualeros, who must crawl like armadillos to avoid detection by the vigilant landowners. The fern, which never blooms, symbolizes the hidden and unrecognized labor of these workers. Despite their efforts, the calaguala remains unnoticed among the more vibrant village flowers, much like the calagualeros themselves, whose toil goes unappreciated.

Viglietti's song is a poignant commentary on the exploitation and invisibility of rural laborers. The calagualeros' journey into the depths of the mountains, their careful evasion of landowners, and the ultimate obscurity of their harvest reflect broader themes of social injustice and the marginalization of the working class. Through his evocative lyrics, Viglietti sheds light on the resilience and perseverance of these workers, who continue their arduous task despite the lack of recognition and the constant threat of danger.