WOU Repository

Different institutions organized fiestas in Caburgua for fundraising purposes. The first one Lorenzo attended was for the dieciocho, Chile's Independence Day, in the neighboring community of Paillaco a few kilometers from Caburgua. The existing government school was run by headmaster Teodoro Mattig.  

The parents' committee used the funds from this fiesta to make improvements on the building. Rarely did the government provide resources for these needs. Parents helped build a ramada and some local musicians played largely Mexican ballads and Chilean cuecas. Young people danced enthusiastically even though it rained inside the ramada. Werner Bratz joked with Lorenzo that these dances are called "piojendanzin."  

The return of a son or daughter living far away was also an occasion for celebration. Telling stories, remembering the past, eating a roast, and consuming wine and hard cider were the forms of entertainment on these occasions. Everyone had a story and knew how to spin it. The spirit of unity returned, only to be lost again when the son or daughter returned to the city. 

The Queen and Her Court

There was a particular affection for January 20, the fiesta of San Sebastián. The local soccer team organized a tournament in a cow pasture, where players ran full tilt over the uneven field without suffering any injuries in an impressive display of strength and coordination.

They presented the queen and her court. The winning team received a goat, which they probably turned into a tasty barbecue. 

Horse Racing

Another San Sebastian festival centered around horse races called Carreras a la Chilena (Chilean style racing).  According to custom, one rider challenges another to a race and bets on the outcome. If the second rider accepts, they race over a straightaway about 200 meters long. Spectators bet with each other as well.  

In 1966, after the races were over, a ten-year old boy challenged Lorenzo to a race. In spite of little riding experience, "el gringo" accepted. The horses took off and the boy led from the beginning. Suddenly Lorenzo's horse zagged left, while he kept going straight. Thankfully, few people saw the spectacle.

Image Descriptions (Left to Right)

Fidel Matos, Nencho Albornoz, and friend ride to the Caburgua fiesta.

The ramada (shelter) was built with small logs, and a roof and sides of fresh branches. Inside people purchased drinks, empanadas, and cazuela de ave (chicken soup). Often the proceeds of a fiesta would sponsor a school or community improvement project.

Three teenagers dressed in urban, rather than rural, style attend the Caburgua fiesta.

Mina Muñoz--fiesta queen and soccer captain Queco Vergara dance the cueca.

Mina Muñoz--fiesta queen, Migdalia Lefiñanco and friend are accompanied by soccer captain Queco Vergara and co-captain Juan Campo. The Caburgua team won the tournament.

To keep public order at fiestas, at least two carabineros (police) were always invited. Locals considered them friends and would casually engage them in conversations. Problems rarely occurred at these fiestas, but when they did it was usually late at night when revelers had enjoyed too many drinks.

The Caburgua soccer team played against various other teams in tournaments. The fields were converted pastures. The players were all farm workers.

Team captain Renato Poblete lifts high the prize that will soon become un asado a palo for the team's dinner.

Horse races in rural Chile are straightaway sprints. Often a horseman will challenge another, betting on the outcome. This race occurred on the Day of San Sebastián, January 20, 1967.