Marimbula History and Technique

Most Afro-Cuban music, such as the Changui and Son, have deep roots in the cultures that were crossed in the 19th century. The African slave trade brought to the Americas a rich and diverse population that influenced the Latin cultures through music and instrumentation. Many of these instruments, including the cajon, were constructed from the leftover shipping crates, boxes and scraps of metal or other materials considered trash. The cajon and marimbula are testimonials to the ingenuity of their creators, as well as to the spirit of a culture that continued to thrive while confronting unfamiliar people, places and treatment.