Bomb barrel and full tambourines

Description

In Puerto Rico, music has always been the maximum expression of culture. Bomba is a musical genre that is created in Puerto Rico, mainly in coastal areas with a higher concentration of slaves. The towns of Mayagüez, Cangrejos (Santurce), Loiza, Ponce, Guayama, Santa Isabel and Juana Díaz, among others, were the cradle of the various styles that make up the Puerto Rican Bomba.  It is played with two or more drums called barrels. These, also known as cargo barrels, were brought to the Caribbean by European colonizers with the purpose of making a musical instrument similar to African drums. It was created by our black ancestors descended from Africa.   Today they are made by our artisans recycling woods and fine woods such as mahogany, mahogany, yellow acacia and black acacia. The skin used in these instruments is natural cow and is acquired from the country's slaughterhouses where our artisans process them without using chemicals or polluting substances.

For this musical expression, maracas and sticks are also used that are played against the side of one of the barrels or against a bamboo, and they are called cuá. Thebomba is defined as a duel between the dancer and the drum player, which is called the riser or cousin and which marks the beats that the dancer makes.

On the other hand, there is the plena… It is said that it is the sung newspaper and since many people did not know how to read, that is how they found out the news. To play the Plena three tambourines are used, these are: The Requinto (the smallest), the Segundo (the medium one) and the Seguidor (the largest).

For all this we can say that the instruments known as barrels and tambourines are fundamental elements in this traditional music of Puerto Rico. At the festivals held throughout the island you will always find someone playing one of these instruments. In Puerto Rico there are several artisans who are dedicated to the making of these instruments, but one stands out for his dedication and excellence in preparing them, Mr. Rafael Trinidad Pellicier, who has been recognized in his country and abroad as a great Puerto Rican master and craftsman.

englishMusical Instruments

In Puerto Rico, music has always been the ultimate expression of culture. The "bomba" is a musical genre, mainly in coastal areas with the highest concentration of slaves in ancient times. The towns of Mayagüez, Cangrejos (Santurce), Loiza, Ponce, Guayama, Santa Isabel and Juana Díaz among others, were the cradle of the various styles that make up the Puerto Rican "bomba".  The "bomba" is played with two or more drums called "barriles". These, also known as cargo barrel, were brought to the Caribbean by the European colonizers with the purpose of making a musical instrument similar to the African drums.

They were created by our black ancestors of African descent. Today they are made by our artisans by recycling wood and noble woods such as mahogany, mahogany, yellow acacia and black acacia. The leather used in these instruments comes from natural cows and is acquired from the country's slaughterhouses where artisans process them without using chemicals or polluting substances.

For this musical expression they also use "maracas" and "palitos" which are played against the side of one of the barrels or against a "bambua", and they are called "cuá". The "bomba" is defined as a duel between the dancer and the drummer who is called "subidor" or "primo" and who marks the beats that the dancer makes. On the other hand, there is the "plena", which is the sung newspaper and since many people did not know how to read, this is how they found out the news. To play the "Plena" three tambourines are used, these are: The "Requinto" (the smallest), the "Segundo" (the medium one) and the "Seguidor" (the biggest).

At festivals throughout the island, you will always find someone playing one of these instruments. In Puerto Rico, there are several artisans who are dedicated to their production, but one stands out for his dedication and excellence in preparing them, Mr. Rafael Trinidad Pellicier, who has been recognized in his country and abroad as a great Puerto Rican master.