Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

Ayoyotes

The ayoyotes, ayoyotl, aztec jingles or huesos de fraile, are an idiophone percussion instrument of the Aztecs. It consists of a set of hard shells from the ayoyote or chachayote (chachayotl) tree of Thevetia genus, fixed to skin or cloth pieces in order to be tied to the ankles or wrists of the dancer or musician. Its sound is similar to that of the rain. This idiophone is used in concheros dance.

Last revised
Jul 30, 2026
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Ayoyotes
Ayoyotes
Percussion instrument
Other namesAyoyotl
Classification Percussion
InventorAztecs

The ayoyotes, ayoyotl, aztec jingles or huesos de fraile, are an idiophone percussion instrument of the Aztecs. It consists of a set of hard shells from the ayoyote or chachayote (chachayotl) tree of Thevetia genus,1 fixed to skin or cloth pieces in order to be tied to the ankles or wrists of the dancer or musician. Its sound is similar to that of the rain. This idiophone is used in concheros dance.

References

References


  • Stevenson, Robert (1968): Music in Aztec and Inca Territory .