The musical instruments of the Colombian Amazon region are traditional instruments of the region, very varied and with particularities that distinguish them from the instruments of other places. These instruments are made by hand by the native groups of the region that are about 62 different ethnic groups.
The various dances, music and customs of these cultures are accompanied by more than 100 traditional instruments from the region. Various wind instruments are part of these instruments, especially various types of flutes.
Tikuna Indians of the Colombian Amazon
There is also a great diversity of percussion instruments such as drums and Maguarés, which are hollow logs percussed with rubber-coated mallets.
The first studies on the musical instruments of Colombia were made in the Amazon region. The Capuchin missionary Francisco de Iguala tried to systematize the information he obtained about the music of the region in 1938.
However, the approaches to this type of work have focused on a European frame of reference and many consider that they are insufficient and need to be completed.
Flutes
In the Amazon region, as in much of the Colombian territory, the flutes are essential instruments of the artistic manifestations of the communities.
The flutes in the Amazon vary in size between 60 and 160 cm long. They have a sound system similar to the group of the European recorder.
The most common flutes in this region are built mainly from Paxiuba palm trunks and decorated with white chalk and other colors.
The peoples of the Amazon also use pan flutes, made of reed, and bone and reed flutes.
Percussion
Percussion instruments are also central to the musical tradition of the communities of the Colombian Amazon.
Some ethnic groups that live between the Putumayo and Caquetá rivers, such as the Huitoto, the Bora and the Múrui, use various percussion idiophones, among which the Maguaré stands out, which is also called Huaré or Makeke.
Another important percussion instrument in this area is the multiplier stick.
This instrument is of ritual importance and consists of a 10-meter-long percussion log suspended at its ends and hitting the ground to emit sounds during dances.
Dances and musical instruments
The connection between the dances of the Amazon region and the instruments used is very deep. In the ceremonies of exchange of fruits and other products, called Dabucurí, maracas, pan flutes and percussion of sticks are used against the ground.
In addition, the dancers tie rattle necklaces containing dried seeds to their ankles.
Some groups in the Amazon share cultural expressions with neighbors from the Vaupés, Caquetá and Putumayo regions.
Some instruments resulting from these expressions are the percussion tables, the camu and the percussion sticks.
Some musical instruments adapted from other cultures are used in the female initiation ceremonies of the Tikuna community.
Examples of this are drums of European origin that have two membranes and tubular reed trumpets.
References
- Berdumea E. COLOMBIAN INDIGENOUS MUSIC. Maguaré. 1987; 5: 85-98
- Izikowitz K. (2008) Musical and other sound instruments of the South American Indians: a comparative ethnographical study. Elander Boktr. University of Michigan.
- Lopez J. (2004) Music and Folklore of Colombia. Plaza and Janes Editores. Bogota Colombia. 8ed
- Reichel-Dolmatoff G. (1987) Shamanism and Art of the Eastern Tukanoan Indians: Colombian Northwest Amazon. EJ Brill. Leiden, the Netherlands.
- Tayler D. (1972) The music of some Indian Tribes of Colombia. British Institute of Recorded Sound.