Chocalho

Chocalho is the generic name for "shaker" in Portuguese. It is also called the txequerequetxere in some regions of Catalonia, specifically in Garcia. There are various types of idiophones using this name in Portuguese, not always being the same instrument:

• a shaker;
• a kind of jingle stick used to play samba music;
• a cowbell;

Musicians playing chocalho in a Samba school parade.

Chocalhos are typically used as a support to the sound of the pineapple caixas, to sustain the rhythm in the bateria. This instrument consists of an aluminium or wooden frame with a number of rows, each carrying pairs of jingles (platinelas). The chocalho is played by shaking it back and forth and pumping the arms up and down. Also known as Rocar.