Güiro

Güiro

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Description
A traditional instrument of the Taínos, the unusual güiro is made from the seed pod of the native flamboyán, also know as the flame tree. It is played by scraping the carved ridges with the tines of a special pick or scraper.
Description (Spanish)
Instrumento tradicional de los Taínos, habitantes originales de Puerto Rico. El güiro se hace con el fruto del higüero, Crescentia cujete, que es un árbol nativo de la región. Se ejecuta pasando un puyero o raspador contra las ranuras talladas en el frente.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
güiro
Date made
20th century
Place Made
Puerto Rico
Physical Description
gourd (overall material)
wood (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 27.7 cm x 9 cm x 7.7 cm; 10 7/8 in x 3 9/16 in x 3 1/16 in
ID Number
1997.0097.1074
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1074
Credit Line
Gift of Teodoro Vidal
subject
Puerto Rico
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Ethnic
Music & Musical Instruments
Cultures & Communities
Vidal
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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