Here are the tombs of Diomedes Díaz, Martín Elías and these Colombian singers

ANDhe world of vallenato has had to say goodbye to great characters and icons of this genre. Although they are no longer present in the physical world, their legacy is forever immortalized in the albums and songs they composed throughout their careers, as well as in the great monuments that were built in their honor.

There is a place where several of these great singer-songwriters rest eternally: the Jardines del Ecce Homo cemetery in Valledupar. These sites usually stand out for the silence and funereal atmosphere that death brings, but in the City of the Holy Kings of the Upar Valley the lives of these Colombians who made history are celebrated and remembered with nostalgia and joy.

Also, It has become a stop on the pilgrimage of vallenato fans. Because a large number of people go to this cemetery to visit the tombs of Diomedes Díaz, Martín Elías, Kaleth Morales, Rafael Escalona and Nicolás Elías Mendoza.

Diomedes Diaz

The death of the ‘Cacique de La Junta’, on December 22, 2013, left a great void in Vallenato hearts. In his musical career, he recorded more than 600 songs and 127 of them were his own. She highlights great hits such as ‘Without Measuring Distances’, ‘Bonita’, ‘TúEres la Reina’ and ‘Amarte Más I Couldn’t’, among many others.

Her grave in the cemetery always remains with flowers, because her fans, the ‘diomedistas’, are in charge of paying tribute to her and visiting her.. Even the photographer and fan of the artist Jorge Hernández frequently attends the cemetery to take care of her.

“I have become the watchman of Diomedes’ tomb, because there are people who come to take photographs on top of the tombstone and the idea is to take care of it, that people take care of it, respect it,” he said in an interview for the Valledupar media. ‘El Pilón’.

Martin Elias

One of the sons of the ‘Daddy of the Chicks’, Martín Elías, It also rests in the Ecce Homo Gardens. This singer was part of the new wave of vallenato and composed great hits, such as ’10 reasons to love you’, ‘Mi ex’, ‘Al finaste tú’ and ‘El látigo’, among others. However, He died on April 14, 2017, in a traffic accident while on his way to Santa Marta to meet his family.

His wife, Dayana Jaimes, was in charge of making ‘Tintin’s’ tombstone and many ‘Martinistas’ travel to visit her.

“Life is beautiful when you live to do good like you did.. A wonderful husband, my support and my unconditional friend. Excellent father, dedicated, full of love for his children, good son, brother, good uncle, good grandson, good cousin and nephew; the man with a million friends. You left footprints and great teachings on earth. You will always be remembered as ‘the great Martín Elías’ Díaz Acosta. This tomb keeps your body, God your soul and we your memory. You passed like a shooting star in our lives, but your light will forever shine in our hearts.”says the message.

Kaleth Morales

Originally from Valledupar, Kaleth Morales was nicknamed ‘The King of the New Wave’. He died at the age of 21, on August 24, 2005.in a traffic accident on the road that connects Cartagena with Valledupar, but his music continues to play.

Despite having had a fleeting three-year stardom, his legacy continues. His musical style and compositions captured the hearts of listeners and vallenatologists said that his talent promised to sweep away all the other characters in the musical genre.

He is the performer of ‘Vivo en el limbo’, one of the most recognized songs of vallenato, and ‘Todo de Cabeza’, among others.

Rafael Escalona

Under several mango trees, in the Jardines del Ecce Homo cemetery, rests the body of the renowned Colombian composer Rafael Escalona. According to one of his sons, Rafael Escalona Bolaño, that was his wish; since he liked to compose, party, read and talk under the shade of these fruit trees.

He was one of the creators of the Vallenata Legend Festival and his songs were recorded by great artists of the genre.such as Diomedes Díaz, Rafael Orozco and El Binomio de Oro, among others.

He composed more than 100 songs, among which ‘The House in the Air’, ‘The Testament’, ‘Honda Wound’ and ‘Elegía a Jaime Molina’ stand out, among many more.

Nicolás Elías Mendoza

Better known as ‘Colacho’ Mendoza was a Colombian arcodeonero with an extensive career. The Guajiro musician was crowned ‘King Vallenato’ at the Vallenata Legend Festival in 1969 and the first ‘King of Kings’, in 1987.

His great talent led him to accompany renowned artists with his instrument, such as Poncho Zuleta and Diomedes Díaz, among others.

He passed away on the morning of Saturday, September 27, 2003, but his music will never stop playing. Now, He rests alongside other legends of the genre in the Jardines del Ecce Homo de Valledupar.