The chácaras or the sound of the Canary folklore

The chácaras are a Canarian percussion instrument similar to the castanets, but larger and can be made of wood or bone. They are played together to achieve the typical sound of Canarian folklore and are used, above all, on the islands of La Gomera and El Hierro.

Chácaras canarias

Although there are no sources that document their existence before the conquest of the Archipelago, it is believed that the chácaras come from an instrument used by the aboriginal Canary Islanders, probably made with other materials and in a more rudimentary way, such as stones or seashells. Therefore, the most certain theory is that they come from North Africa, as is the case with the Canary Islands drum.

The art of Canarian folk music

Some musicologists affirm that the folklore of the Canary Islands arises from the mixture of a series of differentiated musical traditions. In the first place, it is based on the music of aboriginal roots. To this is added the influence of the peninsular musical culture. Later, there are contributions from Caribbean music, brought by Canarian emigrants on their return to the islands. 

Canary Island Chácaras in El Hierro

The rich and varied musical folklore of the Canary Islands originates in that first mixture of cultures, to which must be added, later, the influences generated by the Genoese, Jewish, Flemish and British traders, as well as the human flow between the Canary Islands and America.

Materials and types of chácaras

There are two types of chácaras according to the material they are made of. On the one hand, the wooden ones, built with wood from trees of island species such as the viñátigo or heather, but also with imported woods and species such as mahogany, walnut or mulberry. On the other hand, the bone ones. Both are handcrafted.

According to their type, two types of chácaras can also be distinguished. On the one hand, the "macho" chácara, larger and with a deeper sound. It carries the rhythm of the drum and is placed in the left hand. On the other hand, the "female" chácara, smaller and more acute, which is the one that peals and is placed in the right hand.

The peals are usually interrupted when the "romanciaor" sings or followed when the "respondeores" sing. There is no rule in Canarian musical folklore to interrupt or follow the repique, but it is traditionally respected.

Manufacture of this canary instrument

First, the wooden block where the silhouette of the chácara is drawn is cut. Then, the hole that will end up becoming the sound chamber is opened, as well as the two recesses through which the air can escape. It is emptied inside, cut out and sculpted, giving it shape, until it is finally sanded by hand. It has two sockets, one on the front and one on the back. When it is finished, the piece is washed several times until it is "fine". Finally, it is varnished with lamb lard. A rope or ribbon can be used to join the two leaves. As a curious fact, when it passes into the hands of its owners, they usually baptize it by giving it a name.

Chácaras canarias

Since their incorporation to the Canary popular culture and until today, the chácaras have evolved in terms of size, being much larger the current ones than the old ones, perhaps as a result of a search for greater prominence of their sound over the rest of the instruments. Each artisan leaves his mark in the curves of each design, in the areas called belly and ears and also in the shape of the hollow between both leaves.

Typical from La Gomera and El Hierro

The chácaras are typical of the islands of El Hierro and La Gomera, where they are used to accompany the sound of the drums. The chácaras from Gomera are usually larger than those of El Hierro, even larger than the size of the drummers' hands. In the rest of the Canary Islands there are similar instruments, but smaller and known as castanets or castanets.

In Marca Canaria you can find many more articles about the crafts and culture of the Canary Islands. Here are some links to other curious articles that may be of interest to you: The legacy of traditional Canarian pottery; Typical Canarian costume, tradition and culture; Timple, know the history of the Canarian instrument.

Paula Vera

Photos: lagomera.travel; holaislascanarias.com

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