Los Chimichimitos
"Los chimichimitos" is a folk dance from Venezuela that's often performed by young children who play the different characters that are part of the song.
According to legends from Margarita Island in the olden days, "Los chimichimitos" refers to spirits of people who died before being baptized. They would become some sort of spirits like elves that would try to lure children with candy and toys to their dark caves.
The Tamboré is a folk dance and game from Margarita Island. It's said that large groups of chimichimitos have been seen on the shore in large groups in a circle, holding hands while playing the Tamboré.
Los Chimichimitos
The Chimichimitos Spirits
Danza en círculo
Circle Dance
(Spanish)
(English)
(Estribillo)
Los chimichimitos
Estaban bailando
El coro corito
Tamboré
(Bis)
Que baile la negra
Tamboré
Que baile el negrito
Tamboré
(Bis)
(Estribillo)
Que baile la gorda
Tamboré
Que baile el gordito
Tamboré
Que baile la negra
Tamboré
Que baile el negrito
Tamboré
(Estribillo)
Que baile la flaca
Tamboré
Que baile el flaquito
Tamboré
Que baile la gorda
Tamboré
Que baile el gordito
Tamboré
Que baile la negra
Tamboré
Que baile el negrito
Tamboré
(Estribillo)
Que baile la niña
Tamboré
Que baile el niñito
Tamboré
Que baile la flaca
Tamboré
Que baile el flaquito
Tamboré
Que baile la gorda
Tamboré
Que baile el gordito
Tamboré
Que baile la negra
Tamboré
Que baile el negrito
Tamboré
(Estribillo)
Que baile la vieja
Tamboré
Que baile el viejito
Tamboré
Que baile la niña
Tamboré
Que baile el niñito
Tamboré
Que baile la flaca
Tamboré
Que baile el flaquito
Tamboré
Que baile la gorda
Tamboré
Que baile el gordito
Tamboré
Que baile la negra
Tamboré
Que baile el negrito
Tamboré
(Estribillo)
(Chorus)
The Chimichimitos
Were dancing
The circle dance, little circle dance,
The Tamboré!
(Repeat)
Let the black lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little black man dance
The Tamboré!
(Repeat)
(Chorus)
Let the plump lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little plump man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the black lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little black man dance
The Tamboré!
(Chorus)
Let the skinny lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little skinny man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the plump lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little plump man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the black lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little black man dance
The Tamboré!
(Chorus)
Let the little girl dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little boy dance
The Tamboré!
Let the skinny lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little skinny man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the plump lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little plump man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the black lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little black man dance
The Tamboré!
(Chorus)
Let the old lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little old man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little girl dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little boy dance
The Tamboré!
Let the skinny lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little skinny man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the plump lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little plump man dance
The Tamboré!
Let the black lady dance
The Tamboré!
Let the little black man dance
The Tamboré!
(Chorus)
Notes
Note: In the chorus, a "coro" can be a chorus but also a round (circle formed by people holding hands). So the chorus can be understood as "The chimichimitos were dancing to the chorus, little chorus" or "The chimichimitos were dancing the circle dance, little circle dance."
Another Verse:
Que baile la bruja
Tamboré
Que la baile el bonito
Tamboré
Translation:
Let the witch dance
The Tamboré!
Let the pretty one dance
The Tamboré!
Game Instructions
To Dance Los Chimichimitos:
Everyone either stands in a circle or a line. The children play a role in pairs of boys and girls. So one girl will be the old lady and one will be the old man. When that pair is sung about they go into the middle of the circle or in front of the line and dance. The old lady and man can be dressed as old people and dance like they're old.
Comments
"The Chimichimitos" is used for the Carnival in the eastern regions of Venezuela.
Read more about Los Chimichimitos on Margarita Island (in Spanish).
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Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Lisa Yannucci and Monique Palomares.
