Here it is: Analysis of "Casas de Carton"

“Casas de Carton,” or as translated in English, “Houses of Cardboard,” is a song written by Ali Primera.  It is a simple composition that speaks about the situation in Venezuela.  The song, although simple in structure, contains a repressive story.  It is a song that spoke to the people of Venezuela during the mid-late 1900’s.  Ali Primera’s song lasted beyond his lifetime, and became popular again during the time of Hugo Chavez in the early 1990’s.  Thus “Casas de Carton,” composed by Ali Primera is a simple song, written in the Nueva Cancion style, with elements of Gaita tradition that had a powerful impact on Latin American society that continued to be used for political purposes beyond the lifetime of Primera.   

Ali Primera was a well known man in Venezuela.  According to Nichols & Morse (2010), he was known as the, “Singer of the People.”  Meaning he wrote songs that meant something to the people of Venezuela, his songs resonated within them.  Perhaps the reason these songs resonated with people, was because Ali Primera wrote songs that condemned exploitation and repression, and that celebrated resistance.  (Dineen, 2001, p. 134)  More of the lyrics in his song “Casas de Carton,” will be analyzed later. 

However, Ali Primera did not begin his song writing career in Venezuela.  He studied music at Universidad Central de Venezuela.  Upon graduating in 1968 Primera received a scholarship by the Venezuelan communist party to further enhance his musical education in Romania.  It was in Romania that he recorded his first Album.  (Nichols & Morse, 2010, p. 289).  Primera continued to record songs until he died in a fatal car accident in 1985.  Many of his fans believed that the car accident was not accidental, but rather framed.  (Nichols & Morse, 2010, p. 290)  Although Primera did not write his first album in Venezuela, those songs have had a lasting impact on the public.  His album, which contained the song Casas de Carton, was released in 1975.

The songs Primera wrote all contained a certain unique style.  It is said that he wrote in the Nueva Cancion style, or ‘New Song’.  Basically this genre is a combination of traditional folk music with contemporary music that often contained a political or social message.  (Nichols & Morse, 2010, p. 289)  There is significance in Primera using this genre for his compositions.  According to Viglietti (1986), “The movement was most successful in the sphere of lyrics, where it reached poetic heights which were no obstacle to communication, even with audiences elsewhere in Latin America.” (para. 7)  It was a movement that originated in Cuba in the 1950 and 60’s, and gained popularity in the 1970 and 80’s when many Latin American countries were involved in political conflicts.  (Viglietti, 1986, para. 6)  Thus Primera wrote songs in the height of this movement, and as a political social activist it made sense for him to incorporate this style into his song writing. 

Furthermore, Primera’s songs were sung in the Zulia region’s form of music called gaita.  This is a style that incorporates African, indigenous, and Spanish instrumentation and rhythms.  (Carruyo, 2005, p. 98)  Additionally, this style draws on, “historical memory, local lived experience, and regional symbols to create a sense of community and collective opposition to perceived injustice.”  (Carruyo, 2005, p. 98)  This three concept in regards to Gaita’s are important in understanding the meaning behind the lyrics of Casas de Cartons.

So what is Primera trying to say in his song “Casas de Cartons”?  “Casas de Cartons” is a simple, uncomplicated song with a powerful meaning.  The chorus is repeated four times, “How sad the rain sounds in the cardboard rooftops / How sad my people live, in the cardboard houses.” (Primera, 1975) Primera is pointing to the suffering here, and the seemingly hopelessness of this suffering through repetition.    Although Venezuela is known to be a relatively peaceful and stable country since its democratization in 1958, there was some unrest concerning oil production.  (Mahler, 2011, p. 584)  It is said that the conflict that has arisen in Venezuela, is due to, “indirect mechanisms resultant from the decline of oil abundance, deficient resource sector management, and consequent economic distortions.” (Mahler, 2011, pg. 604) Thus oil, itself is instrumental in causing subsequent problems mentioned in the song.  The problems that Primera includes are, “Today is the same as yesterday; it’s a world with not tomorrow,” or in other words, no hope for the future.  (Primera, 1975)  “Bellies bloated with worms,” or lack of basic necessities.  (Primera, 1975)  And, “his owner, since many years ago/Has been tearing up the honest worker,” or exploitation by the government.  (Primera, 1975) These factors combined have created a situation where Primera’s people live in dismal conditions. “How sad my people live, in the cardboard houses.”

The exploitation of the Zulia region is an important consideration. According to Carruyo (2005) the Zulian’s live in a region full of oil and prosperity; however, “they have been robbed of their “fair share” of the profits.” (p. 102).  Thus this region is one which has been exploited.  Primera (1975) also alludes to this in his song, “How happy, the dogs live, in the rich exploiter’s home.”  This is a clear reference to being exploited by the government in regards to wages and prosperity sharing.  While the Zulians have apparently contributed to the success, through labour, they are not permitted to share in it.  It is the effects of this exploitation that Primera tries to convey through his song.

Primera, in keeping with Gaita tradition, also invokes a feeling of community.  By using the word, ‘my’, he brings together a community: “How sad my people live, in the cardboard houses.” (Primera, 1975) The word ‘my’ is a possessive pronoun.  Primera keeps in mind that the contents of the song are not about the individual but about a collective group of people and their experiences, his group of people.  The use of the word ‘my’ also allows him to establish a relationship with the public.  It is this personal connection that gives him the reputation as a “singer of the people.” 

Gaita’s also tend to include discussion of food, utilities and transportation, or the local lived experience.  The purpose of this is to link people to the government.  (Carruyo, 2005, p. 102).  In the case of “Casas de Cartons,” this is also evident in the lines, “Bellies bloated with worms and that’s why / How sad the children live, in the cardboard houses.” (Primera, 1975) The reference to food, or the lack of it, is an example of a shared local experience.  The poverty resulting from the government’s lack of provisions and profit sharing creates a distant relationship between themselves and the people. 

This style and form of music draws on people emotions and speak of political conflict, and as such were used beyond Primera’s lifetime.  It is said that Hugo Chavez, who lead the coup attempt in 1992, used Primera’s work to aid him.  (Carruyo, 2005, p. 109) The spirit of the songs, and their ability to unite groups aided him in providing and anti-elitist theme to his work.  Music has the ability to extend beyond the lifetime of a composer, much like the work of Primera.  This song is maybe more famously know for its part in the movie, “Voces Inocente” a tale about the 1980’s civil war in El Salvador.  It is interesting to note that in this movie, the lady turns to the man singing the song and pleads with him not to, because it will get them killed.  (techos de carton, de la movie de voces inocentes, 2007) Even years later, this song had significant impact on the Latin American people.  It was still a song that spoke to many different groups who were being oppressed at the time.  And more importantly it was a song that instilled fear in the hearts of the government, because in many cases it was banned, or frowned upon. 

In conclusion, the song “Casas de Carton” was a powerful song in Latin America.  The style and genre it incorporated where ones popular for the time.  The Gaita specifically allowed for the telling of a community, and their life experiences.  The Nueva Cancion was popular in developing stories about political unrest, and dissatisfaction.  Ultimately the song has had an impact on countries beyond Venezuela, such as El Salvador.  Ali Primera, as a social activist was able to create a strong relationship with the people of his time through the simple rhetoric and message of his lyrics. 

  

References:

Carruyo, L. (2005) La Gaita Zuliana: Music and the politics of protest in Venezuela.  Latin American Perspectives, 32 (3):98-111.  DOI: 10.1177/0094582X05275528

Dineen, M. (2001) Culture: Customs of Venezuela.  Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

MÄHLER, A. (2011). Oil in Venezuela: Triggering conflicts or ensuring stability? A historical comparative analysis. Politics & Policy, 39: 583–611. DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00305.x

Nichols, E.G. & Morse, K.J.  (2010) Venezuela.  Westport CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Primera, A.  (1975)  Casas de Carton. 

Pulquitoman. (2007). Techos de carton, de la movie de voces inocentes.  [Video]. Retrievedfrom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydvXzVMsiI0)