Toki Toki Song
This recording of the Toki Toki song, which is named for its first words, "Toki Toki," is sung by a Chumash man, Fernando Librado. It was recorded onto a wax cylinder in 1913 (sixty years after the Lone Woman's death) by the anthropologist J. P. Harrington.
Librado learned this song from Melquiades, who was with the party that found the Lone Woman on San Nicolas Island and had actually heard her sing it. Although the exact meaning is unclear, it is believed that the Lone Woman sang this song to express mixed feelings: of sadness at leaving the familiar and of joy at having human company after many years alone.
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Toki Toki Song
Click on the play button above to listen to the song.
Last updated: May 31, 2018