Chajchas

The chajchas is a member of the shaken and scraped idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 112.1). Learn how it makes its sound and explore related instruments.

How the chajchas makes its sound

In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the chajchas belongs to the shaken and scraped idiophones: the body is shaken, scraped or split – rattles, maracas and guiros.

More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a stretched membrane.

Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.

From Wikipedia

Chajchas (also chapchas; Spanish: uñas, "toenails") are a small percussion instrument of the rattle family, typically made from goat or sheep hooves, and originating in the Central Andes. The instrument is used in traditional rituals and ceremonies, and can also be heard in much of the folk music of the region, especially the countries of Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador.

It consists of a number of dried hooves (which may also come from llamas or alpacas) strung onto a colorful piece of fabric, often elasticated, which allows the instrument to be worn as a bracelet around the wrist or ankle. They are typically played in pairs, and may be used in ceremonial dances.