Rafael Manzanares Aguilar (July 17, 1918 – August 28, 1999) was educated in law, and a professor and Honduran folklorist, an author and a musical composer.

He then moved to Tegucigalpa to continue his studies at the Central University, from which he obtained a degree in law at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras.

This work earned him recognition from the government and provided inspiration for founding the institutions that are today paramount in Honduran folklore.

[5] Rafael Manzanares is particularly noted for investigating folk dances in the communities in which they originated and recording the dress, music and choreography.

A typical folk dance with a jocular character is El Zopilote,[9] inspired by flying and walking characteristics of the buzzard, commonly seen in Honduras.

This dance was compiled by Professor Manzanares in the city of Yuscarán, department of El Paraiso, and it was choreographed and initially interpreted by the Cuadro Nacional de Danzas Folklóricas.