Chachalokafún Batá toques – Music
Chachalokafún is a batá toque primarily associated with Changó — the Orisha of thunder, fire and drums. The furius.ca toque database counts it among the general toques, which are not tied to one Orisha.
The name is written in many ways: Chachalokafún, Chachalokpafún, Chachalokuafún or Chachalokefún. They all refer to the same toque.
Character
- Primary association: Changó
- Shared use: furius.ca counts it among the general toques
Rhythm
Chachalokafún is played on the three batá drums: iyá, itótele and okónkolo.
Role in Ceremony
Chachalokafún is one of the toques most often heard for Changó, alongside Alujá and Bayubá.
Because batá toques are not strictly one-to-one mappings, the way Chachalokafún is used differs between houses and lineages (casas de santo).
Dance
Chachalokafún is heard with songs for Changó, and so with his dance. According to EcuRed, no other orisha leaps higher or dances more violently than Changó; his dances are those of a warrior wielding his axe, or of a lover. In the second video above, Yeni Molinet dances to Chachalokafún.
Listen
Classic recordings of Changó cantos accompanied by Chachalokafún:
- Merceditas Valdés con los Tambores de Jesús Pérez — Cantos Afrocubanos
- Lázaro Ros — Orisha Ayé: Shangó