Marímbula

Description:

The marímbula, (also marímbola), is an African-derived folk instrument found across the Caribbean. Large enough for its player to sit on, this instrument consists of a large, resonating box with metal strips that are plucked to provide a simple bass accompaniment. Its affordability, ease of construction, and portability (it can be strapped to its player like a marching drum), made it adaptable to many styles of folk music, from the roving aguinaldo of the Christmas season to a street-corner plena.

Date Made: 20th century

Description (Spanish): La marímbula, o marímbola, es un instrumento derivado del folklore africano que puede hallarse en todo el Caribe. Es lo suficientemente grande como para que el intérprete pueda sentarse sobre él. Consiste en una caja de resonancia con flejes de metal que se puntean produciendo un simple acompañamiento de sonidos graves. Dado que se trata de un instrumento accesible, fácil de construir y de transportar (el intérprete puede colgárselo con una faja al igual que un tambor de marcha), se lo adaptó a diferentes estilos de música folclórica, desde el aguinaldo de la época navideña hasta la plena.Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: Puerto Rico

Subject: Puerto Rico

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Ethnic, Music & Musical Instruments, Cultures & Communities, Vidal

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Teodoro Vidal

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1997.0097.0512Catalog Number: 1997.0097.0512Accession Number: 1997.0097

Object Name: thumb piano/marimbola

Physical Description: wood; metal (overall material)wood (overall material)metal (overall material)Measurements: overall: 45.5 cm x 67.5 cm x 19 cm; 17 15/16 in x 26 9/16 in x 7 1/2 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-3198-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_601901

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