Trough-resonated African xylophone

Box-or-trough-resonated xylophones occur in parts of East, Central, and West Africa under various local names. Such xylophone types -- as well as gourd-bamboo- or wooden cylinder-resonated frame models -- were introduced into Spanish-speaking areas of the Americas (from Mexico and Guatemala in the north to coastal Ecuador and Colombia in the south) by African captives under the name marimba. The instrument soon was adopted by Indigenous groups, and, because today it is made and played by few African-descended peoples (notably those living along the Pacific Coast of Ecuador and Colombia, where it plays a major role in Currulao music performances), the marimba long has been thought to be of non-African origin.

This offering features 8 hardwood (jatoba) tone bars.

The instrument may be played by striking the keys with either the mallets' rubber-tipped end(s) or with the unwrapped end(s).

Dimensions: 25" l., 16 3/4" w., 5" h.