Chicken Scratch Christmas

Chicken Scratch is the social dance music of the Tohono O'odham ("Desert People"). Also known as Waila music evolved from the earlier acoustic fiddle bands which adapted European and Mexican tunes heard in Northern Sonora. The music is most frequently hear on and near the Tohono O'odham, Gila River and Pima Salt River reservation of central and southern Arizona. Twelve popular Christmas carols are done in the happy go lucky chicken scratch style by one of the premiere bands of the Tohono O'odham.