Argentina
Historical name
Capilla de San Baltasar de la familia Pérez (Chapel to Saint Balthazar of the Perez Family)
Founding Date
18th or 19th centuries
Address
Tucumán 1310, Empedrado, Provincia de Corrientes , PC: 3418 .
Classification
Construction
Function-Testimony
Religious-ceremonial site
Access level
Free
Current Use
Chapel to worship Saint Balthazar
Original use
Site of devotion
Property kind
Private
Expressions of intangible heritage associated
Every 6th of January this chapel celebrates the Party of Saint Balthazar, patron saint of afro Argentineans and followers of candombe, according to the faithful. During this celebration the faithful practice the “charanda” or “zemba”, a religious dance by those who have made promises to ask or to thank the saint for his favours, which is only performed on this day of the year and has an African origin. A “bombo” or bass drum is played (it is a drum that is played on both sides and is 1.13 cm long, with two drumheads, played by to drummers seating astride), triangle and guitar. There are seven semi-independent chants, of which only three are still in force. These chants were composed by the saint and taught to the devout in ancient times.