Bate Bate Chocolate

Hello friends!

Today I am going to share 2 rhythmic chants that are in the Spanish language. BOTH having to do with chocolate. YUM! My husband and I traveled to Antigua, Guatemala for 2 weeks in order to take Spanish classes through Proyecto Linguistico. It was a great experience and I would recommend Antigua to anyone who’s wanting to explore Guatemalan culture and/or the Spanish language. It’s affordable and the classes offer a large amount of conversation!

As Matt and I strolled through the cobblestone streets of Antigua, we smelt the rich aroma of cocoa drifting through the streets of the enchanting colonial town. We followed our tingling chocolate senses into the “Choco Museo” and excitedly signed up for a chocolate cooking class. And I have no regrets. Guatemala is known for their Mayan ancient ruins and culture, their volcanoes, and their chocolate and coffee, among many other things.

When I teach “Bate Bate Chocolate” to my students, I teach them that the phrase means to “stir or mix the chocolate”. Then I teach them how chocolate is made. Here is a brief explanation with pictures.

I also explain to the students more of the origin story of chocolate. The Mayans of Central America are believed to be the first to discover cacao as early as 900 AD! They learned that the beans inside the cacao pods could be harvested and made into a yummy treat! Mayans used to make chocolate a lot differently than we do today. It used to be a liquid made from crushed cocoa beans, spices such as chili and cinnamon, vanilla, and honey. Now most chocolate is made with sugar and milk. Mayans used to call it “the food of the gods” and it was often consumed during religious ceremonies and marriage celebrations.

Then we chant the song with “ti-ti” and “ta”. Example: Repeat and clap after me: ti-ti, ti-ti, ti-ti, ti-ti ……ti-ti, ta, ta, ta

Then we learn the Spanish pronunciation through call and response. Once we have the rhythm and the Spanish words put together, I will teach them the motions which you can see in the youtube video. Then I hand out percussion instruments for students to keep the steady beat. If there is time, I will  choose one student at a time to come to the front and take my place being the leader. The student would lead with chanting “Bate bate chocolate” and all of the other students repeat after them.

Also another Spanish rhythmic chocolate chant:

Some schools don’t allow teachers to hand out food, but if your school does or you are a stay at home parent/home-school teacher, you could also try “chocolate rhythms” and have them create rhythms with Hershey’s kisses. And of course eat them at the end!!

Hope you are having a rejuvenating summer!

¡Qué tenga un buen día!

-Paige-