Chicken scratch facts for kids
Chicken scratch (also known as waila music) is a fun kind of dance music. It was created by the Tohono O'odham people. They live in southern Arizona, in the Sonoran Desert. This music grew from old fiddle bands in the area. These bands started playing European and Mexican songs. They played styles like the polka, schottisch, and mazurka.
Chicken scratch music is a unique style. It's based on norteño music from Mexico. Norteño music is a Mexican version of polka. Many chicken scratch bands still play polka songs. They add their own special touch. They might also play the waltz or conjunto music.
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What is Chicken Scratch Music?
Chicken scratch is a lively and popular music style. It's perfect for dancing. The Tohono O'odham people developed this music. It has a special sound that mixes different cultures.
Instruments Used in Chicken Scratch
Today, chicken scratch bands usually have several instruments. They often include an alto saxophone, bass, guitar, drums, and accordion. However, the first bands used simpler instruments. They only had percussion, guitar, and violin. The accordion and saxophone were added later, in the 1950s.
This music is very popular in certain areas. Its main home is the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. It's also played in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Gila River Indian Community.
How People Dance to Chicken Scratch
The dance for chicken scratch is called the "walking two-step" or "walking polka." Dancers move very smoothly. They glide across the floor. Dancers might also perform the mazurka or the chote. No matter the style, dancers always move counterclockwise.
Where Do the Names Come From?
The name waila comes from the Spanish word bailar. This word means "to dance."
The name chicken scratch comes from how people describe the traditional Tohono O'odham dance. Dancers kick their heels high in the air. This movement supposedly looks like a chicken scratching the ground.
Famous Chicken Scratch Artists and Events
Some of the most famous chicken scratch performers are the Joaquín Brothers. Others include Los Papagos Molinas with Virgil Molina and Southern Scratch.
There are also well-known festivals for this music. The Annual Waila Festival in Tucson, Arizona, is very popular. Another big event is the Rock-A-Bye Music Fest in Casa Grande, Arizona.
If you want to find chicken scratch music, two record labels are famous for it. They are Canyon Records and Rock-A-Bye Records.
In 2011, chicken scratch music received special recognition. A "Best Waila" category was added to the Native American Music Awards. This shows how important and loved this music style is.
