Heber Rasgado died last week in Mexico City. Probably few El Pasoans or Juarenses knew him, but Heber was one of the finest musicians in southern Mexico. He was about 45 years old and still in his musical prime. I believe he died from health problems related to chronic smoking. Perhaps he smoked excessively to cope with the pressures of his constant performances.
Heber was a dear friend of mine. He was also a close friend of Juan Sandoval, El Paso’s great art collector and Mexico-phile. Heber performed traditional Zapotec music at a cultural event at the UTEP Centennial Museum in the early 1990s. He also played “Neguepe,” a Zapotec translation of Lennon’s Yesterday. Heber was a gifted cosmopolitan performer who interpreted folk tunes and modern styles with equal verve and polish. His soulful voice was known throughout the restaurants, cantinas and musical venues of Juchitán, Oaxaca City, and other concert sites in southern Mexico, Germany, Japan and the U.S. In July 2007 Heber headlined a musical program I organized for the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute in Mexico, a group of 25 U.S. professors learning about Mexican culture.
Heber was a native Juchiteco, a proud heir to Juchitán, Oaxaca’s legacy of cultural and political resistance. Juchitán is still the largest indigenous-controlled town in Mexico and a true jewel of contemporary Mesoamerica. Many books and films document the dynamism of this uniquely Oaxacan, Native American community.
Heber spoke fluent Zapotec and Spanish, but he also identified as “el negro de la costa,” in tribute to his Afro-mestizo heritage. Heber was a handsome man who was comfortable in his smooth cacao-colored skin and short cropped hair that he sometimes let grow into a full-grown Afro. Heber was very proud of his dual indigenous and African background. But, above all, Heber was a dedicated professional guitarist who touched the hearts and musical ears of thousands. Heber’s many CDs in multiple genres are a testimony to his talent.
I wrote these words in remembrance of my friend, Heber Rasgado, and to encourage El Pasoans—in these times of heightened conflict over immigration and border security issues—to value the great cultural wealth and diversity (indigenous, Spanish, African and more) of Mexico.
Howard Campbell is Professor of Anthropology at UTEP
