José Joaquín Salazar Franco
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikitia's general notability guideline. |
Cheguaco | |
|---|---|
José Joaquín Salazar Franco | |
| Add a Photo | |
| Born | July 27, 1926 Tacarigua, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela |
| Died | September 30, 2000 La Asunción, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela |
| Occupation | Historian, writer, folklorist, trade union leader |
| Awards | Illustrious Son of Gómez Municipality (1988) |
José Joaquín Salazar Franco (July 27, 1926 – September 30, 2000), commonly known by his pseudonym Cheguaco, was a Venezuelan historian, writer, folklorist, and social activist. His works contributed to the study and preservation of the history and culture of Margarita Island.[1]
Early life and education
José Joaquín Salazar Franco was born on July 27, 1926, in Tacarigua, Nueva Esparta state, to Julián Salazar and Jerónima Franco. He received his primary education in Santa Ana del Norte, where he walked daily. His teacher, José Jesús Salazar, offered him the opportunity to write for the local newspaper «Presagios» at the age of 13.[2]
After completing the third grade, he moved to La Asunción to continue his education. He kept writing for the school newspaper, strengthening his interest in history and folklore.
Social and labor activism
Before turning twenty, Cheguaco joined cultural and labor organizations including the Guevara Cultural Center and the Federation of Workers of Nueva Esparta. Later, in El Tigre, he became a trade union leader and participated in two national workers' congresses.[3]
Cultural and research work
Cheguaco began writing when he recognized the importance of preserving local events and traditions that might otherwise be lost over time. He focused on documenting the customs, songs, and oral histories of his community and Guaiqueri indians, with the aim of passing them on to future generations[4]. Although his formal education ended at the sixth grade, he continued developing his skills independently.
Due to his writing and grammar abilities, Salazar Franco held several public service positions, including Secretary of the Communal Board of Tacarigua, Secretary of the District Prefecture, and Administrative Clerk at the Main Office of the Public Registry of Nueva Esparta. These roles gave him access to archival materials and official records, which informed his historical research. He was also a member of the Committee for Cultural Development. In 1987, he was appointed the official chronicler of Tacarigua.[5]
Literary works
His first book, La Tacarigua de Margarita[6], was published in 1971. Among other works:
Poetry
- Murmullo del Breñal
- Un grito en la Hondonada
Short stories
- Brotes sobre la tierra ñera
- Los terrazgos de Cheguaco
History
- Rastrojeo de la historia margariteña
- Bolívar en el anecdotario popular margariteño
- General Francisco Esteban Gómez en la memoria del pueblo
- La Asunción, ciudad procera
- La expedición de Los Cayos en el andar del tiempo
- General Juan Bautista Arismendi, historias y leyendas
- General Santiago Mariño, en décimas populares
- El Corazón de Jesús de Tacarigua
- La Virgen del Valle, su historia y sus leyendas
- Biografía de Rafael Gil Sánchez
Folklore
- Margarita y su artesanía primitiva
- Mitos y creencias margariteñas
- Usos y costumbres tradicionales en Margarita[7]
- Consejas y leyendas margariteñas
- Macanao, el lugar de donde el viento se devuelve
- El Gua, gua, gua, de los guaicos[8]
Sixteen manuscripts remained unpublished at the time of his death.
Recognition and legacy
On April 12, 1988, Cheguaco and his teacher José Jesús Salazar were declared Illustrious Sons of Gómez Municipality.
His children created Fundación Cheguaco, which continues his legacy by publishing his and others’ works from Tacarigua.[9]
Death
Salazar Franco died on September 30, 2000, in La Asunción, on the feast of Saint Jerome. He is remembered as one of the first historians of Margarita Island.
References
- ↑ "José Joaquín Salazar Franco – Margarita En Tus Manos" (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ↑ "José Joaquín Salazar Franco – Margarita En Tus Manos" (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ↑ "José Joaquín Salazar Franco – Margarita En Tus Manos" (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ↑ Otilca Radio (2019-09-30). "José Joaquín Salazar Franco «Cheguaco» uno de los intelectuales más importantes de Margarita - Otilca Radio". Otilca Radio (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ↑ "Distinciones Recibidas – Fundación Cheguaco" (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ↑ Franco, José Joaquín Salazar (1972). La Tacarigua de Margarita (in español). Impr. Oficial del Estado Nuevo Esparta.
- ↑ Taranenko, Artem (January 1986). "Usos y Costumbres Tradicionales en Margarita". Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ↑ Taranenko, Artem (January 2002). "El Gua Gua Gua de los Guaicos". Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ↑ ""Cheguaco": una Fundación que preserva las tradiciones de Margarita". Blog of the Governor of Margarita island. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
External links
This article "José Joaquín Salazar Franco" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.