Traditional folk poetry encompasses two major thematic areas, which also correspond to different contexts for the recitation and singing of the verses. These are the canto a lo humano (songs on secular themes), typical of more profane celebrations or poetic duels, and the canto a lo divino (songs on sacred themes), generally performed during religious festivals or wakes for angelitos—children who died at a young age.

Folk poets distinguish six main "foundations" (themes) within the canto a lo divino: verses concerning the "Creation of the World," the "End of the World," "Sacred History" (Old and New Testaments), the "Birth of Christ," the "Passion and Death," and the "Farewell to the Angelito."

Traditional folk poetry has traditionally drawn a distinction between versos a lo divino (verses on divine themes), which deal with religious subjects, and versos a lo humano (verses on human themes), which encompass more everyday and festive subjects.

The rich variety of themes found in canto a lo humano includes verses on Human History, Astronomy, Geography, and Literature; verses about Love; el mundo al revés (the world turned upside down); ponderación (exaggeration) and challenge verses; parabienes (verses for newlyweds); as well as the many verses so common in the Lira Popular, which commented on disasters, everyday and extraordinary events, and political and social developments.

• Canto a lo Divino and Canto a lo Humano, also known as Canto a lo Poeta, is a poetic-musical tradition from Chilean popular culture, practiced mainly by rural communities in the country's Central Valley. It is one of the most representative literary expressions of traditional rural culture, transmitted orally through singing. Its fundamental poetic unit is the décima, a ten-line poetic form.

• Historical Origin: Its origins are attributed to Jesuit missionaries, who, during the colonial period, are believed to have used décima-based glosas as a tool for evangelization. This took place in a context where books, particularly the Bible, were not widely available and literacy levels among the mestizo population were low.

• Two Thematic Branches: The tradition is divided into two main thematic areas, which also correspond to different contexts for recitation and singing:

Canto a lo Divino

It is performed during religious celebrations or at velorios de angelitos (funeral ceremonies for young children who have died). Its themes, or “fundamentos,” include passages from the Old Testament (such as the Creation, Adam and Eve), the New Testament (such as the Annunciation and the Nativity), biblical-inspired themes related to saints, and non-biblical themes originating from popular tradition.

Canto a lo Humano

It is associated with secular celebrations and poetic challenges between popular poets. Its fundamentos include history, social and political events, and dedication.

Canto a lo Poeta is a Chilean tradition based on the Décima Espinela, divided into Canto a lo Divino and Canto a lo Humano. It is accompanied by instruments such as the Chilean guitarrón, rabel, and guitarra traspuesta.

Today, this tradition remains alive through workshops, festivals, and digital media. In Melipilla, Domingo Antonio Pontigo stands out as a prominent figure and was recognized as a Living Human Treasure for preserving and passing on this tradition.

Groups in the Area

• Agrupación de Cantores a lo Poeta de Melipilla “Domingo Pontigo Meléndez”: founded by Pedro Rubén Ortiz and students from Canto a lo Humano and Canto a lo Divino workshops.

• Asociación de Cantos a lo Divino de San Pedro: brings together local singers and keeps the traditions of Canto a lo Humano and Canto a lo Divino alive.

• Agrupación Entre Cerros y Poetas de Alhué: emerged from workshops and aims to preserve and promote Canto a lo Divino.

• Agrupación de Cultores de Cantares y Tradiciones de Aculeo: brings together singers from different communities in Paine and primarily preserves Canto a lo Divino.

PAYADORES:

 Payadores are people who keep the tradition of Canto a lo Divino and Canto a lo Humano alive. They improvise verses and décimas, often accompanied by a guitar or Chilean guitarrón.

Canto a lo Divino: they talk about religious themes, such as God, the Bible, and faith.

Canto a lo Humano: they address topics related to everyday life, love, society, humor, and personal experiences.

TROVADORES: 

The troubadours were poets and musicians who emerged mainly during the Middle Ages. They created and sang poems, generally about love, life, nature, and social issues.

Their role was to entertain and transmit stories and ideas through music and poetry. In Canto a lo Humano and Canto a lo Divino, they are related to the tradition of creating and transmitting sung verses.