The Organization of American States on Saturday held a special ceremony to pay tribute to the Peruvian culture by declaring the Peruvian Cajon an "Instrument of Peru for the Americas."
In this sense, OAS Secretary General Insulza highlighted the contribution of Peruvian folk music to the cultural heritage of the region.
"There is a great creative wealth from the artists from urban and rural zones of the Hemisphere, they are very valuable to our culture, both professional musicians and fans' contributions,” he noted.
The hemispheric institution also declared Escajadillo "Composer of the Americas" in recognition of his 45 year career as an exponent of the folk music of his country.
Escajadillo has been decorated by the Congress of the Republic of Peru with the "Juan Pablo Vizcardo and Guzman Medal," in recognition of his great contribution to culture.
Throughout his artistic life, the Peruvian artist has received various national and international awards for his more than 700 compositions. He is also the Chair of the Peruvian Association of Authors and Composers (APDAYC).
Saturday's event included a posthumous tribute to the late musician and researcher Rafael Santa Cruz (1960-2014), who dedicated his life to dissemination of the values of the “Cajon” and Afro-Peruvian culture.
Santa Cruz was the author of "The Afro-Peruvian Cajon," a work that includes history, rhythm patterns with scores, photos and exercises to play this instrument, and is the first study to comprehensively document the origins of the instrument in Peru and its uses in other countries.
It should be noted the recognition ceremony was held in the Hall of the Americas of the OAS, the same place where 27 years ago a tribute was made to Peruvian folk music, which included the artists Oscar Aviles, Arturo "El Zambo" Cavero and Jesus Vasquez.
Ambassador Jiménez Mayor said the tribute is a "historic milestone that recognizes the cultural heritage of Peru and the contribution of our country to the culture of the Americas."
"The Cajon is an iconic and deeply Peruvian instrument, which should be fill all Peruvians with pride," said the Peruvian diplomat at a previous meeting held as part of the preparations for the aforementioned ceremony.
Created by African slaves in the central coast of Peru during the last years of the colonial era, the Cajon was used to accompany the zamacueca, a dance which later received the name of “marinera.”
Over the decades, the Peruvian instrument adapted to other local and Afro rhythms in celebration, like landau, waltz and panalivio. Its use was also speeded to the rest of the continent.
The instrument became popular in Spain, and then spread to Europe and Asia. Currently, different rhythms accompany the “Cajon” worldwide such as jazz, rock, tango, samba, bossa nova, guaguancó, salsa and flamenco.
(END) NDP/RMB
Published: 11/2/2014