The Chelaalapí Choir: An “isolated pocket” of “traditional” Toba music
Abstract
In 1988, I witnessed a performance by the Toba Chelaalapí Choir for the first time, during the 5th Regional Book Fair in Alvear, Corrientes Province. I was struck by the contrast between the existence of this choir and the mass conversion of the Toba people to Pentecostalism—a shift that brought about significant musical changes due to the adoption of evangelical repertoires. These contrasting extremes consisted, on the one hand, of a group upholding a "musical tradition" that appeared to me—and to many others—as an "authentic" cultural expression; and on the other, a majority of Indigenous people resigned to the imposition of evangelism, who lamented the loss of their musical heritage. One could perceive a stance of defense and embrace of this heritage among the choir members, contrasted with an attitude of rejection and denial of it among the evangelicals.
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Copyright (c) 1996 Asociación Argentina de Musicología
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