Chechelele (Pronounced cheh-cheh-leh-leh)*

Chechelele are an acapella choir from York, England, specialising in traditional world music. We're interested in collecting, singing, performing and recording traditional music from just about everywhere except England.

We were founded in 1994 by John Low, and have now grown to around 24 members; although we can perform with as few as seven. We'd like to think we've developed a reputation as one of the most unusual, innovative, entertaining and fun groups on the folk and world music scene.

We operate on a non-profit basis, with all fees and proceeds from recordings sales being used to cover the choir's transport and other essential costs, with the remainder being donated to charities operating in the areas of the world from where our songs originate.

Last year we donated over £1000 to causes in South Africa and in the UK related to anti slavery campaigns based around the Bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery Movement led by William Wilberforce.

STOP PRESS!!!  This web site is being rebuilt (slowly): Our apologies if some of the links don’t work yet.

If you would like to contact us use this e-mail address:

coleaders@chechelele.co.uk

*Chechelele is a word from the Ndebele language, which means HAPPY. MCs and choir members have been heard to pronounce it "chay-chay-lay-lay", "cheh-cheh-lay-lay", "cheh-chuh-lay-lee", "cheh-chuh-leh-lay", or any combination! Ndebele speakers would be amazed as they only have five vowels and no dipthongs; their only possible pronunciation is Cheh-cheh-leh-leh.