Old-Time, Traditional
Jamaican Instruments

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!

A Jamaican Rhumba Box - Used In Mento Music

Old-Time Jamaican Instruments

We boast, through our motto that we are, "Out of Many, One People". And our musical instruments symbolizes this well.

If you have already read the history of Jamaica or the culture of Jamaica, then you would have learnt about the unique blend of cultures and traditions that creates the real Jamaica.

We inherited instruments dating back as far as the Arawaks, the early inhabitants.

Of course, been a predominantly black population (over 90%), the majority of our musical instruments are originated from Africa, but we have invaluable input from the Chinese, Indians, Syrians and the Europeans - all of whom played integral roles in our historical development.

Below I'll highlight some of the more popular instruments, categorized by the different ethnic groups.

Jamaican Congo Drums

The Arawaks (Tainos)

The Arawaks contributed at least six (6) musical instruments. These include the:

1. Large Drums
2. The Flute
   
   Including one made of bone! Although not much was said of what type of animal, especially since the animals in Jamaica were all small.
   
   It is theorized that perhaps the said bone was that of the Caribs, their enemies who were thought to be much fiercer than the Arawaks.
3. Aeolian Harps
4. Tabors (small drums)
   was evidently as small drum.
5. Trumpet
6. Timbrels or Tambourines

The African Descendants

Our African ancestors contributed quite a lot. These may be categorized into four classes:

1. Percussions (Drums)
   
   Drums varied in shape, size, according to to tribal fashionGumbieBarrel Shaped, about 6 ft in length. Made form pieces of hallow trees.GoombahA hollow block of wood.
   
   GoombayA rustic drum formed from the truck of a hallow tree.All covered with skins of goats or sheep.
   
   
2. String (Rough Guitars)
   
   A fair variety made of wood or gourds. Eg. Fiddles, Bangils, banjar – has little to do with the banjo of today, bender- probably so name because it was made of a stick bent bow shaped and kept thus by a slip of dried grass.
   
   
3. Wind (Flutes)
   
   The only was discovered then was the Coromantee flute, named after the fierced Coromantee African tribe.
   
   
4. Non Descript (Rude Instruments)
   
   There is the Jenkoving- two jars with medium size mouth over which the performer brought down their hands and the Kitty-Katty, a flat piece of board on which they beat with two sticks.
   Rattles or boxes or small sized calabashes, filled with pebbles or Indian shot seeds were also used.
   
   Sometimes they were made with a handle and were shaken by the hand of the performer used or sometime, at other times they were tied to legs or wrist and as they dance or sang, making a noisy accompaniment.
   
   There was also the Rookaw – two jagged sticks.

The Maroons

Although also African descendants, the maroons were singled out because of their independence.

They have many musical instrument but their ‘national’ instrument is the Abeng.

It made from the cow’s horn and can safely be assumed that it did not come from the aboriginal period, as the cow was introduced in Jamaica by the Spaniards sometime after 1509.

It is made of 8 or 9 inches of the small end of the cow’s horn. A sufficient part of the tip is taken off leaving a small hole about the size of a pea.

On the concave side of the horn and close to the smaller end,an oblong opening or mouth-hole is made.

This is about ¼ of an inch wide and about an inch in length.

There is also use a drum called Toombah, a large piece of the trumpet tree, hallowed out. Three strings are then stretched across.

The vast majority of these are primitive, very primitive, but no doubt they  set the stage for today's complex and elaborate musical instruments.

By the way, particularly in our traditional mento music, the Banjo, Guitar, Marimba or Rhumba box (seen above), and double bass percussion instruments such as triangles, pieces of iron, empty sardine cans, as well as forks and graters are also used - even today!

Sources:

• The music and musical instrument of Jamaica by Astley Clerk, published in 1913.

• DiverseHamilton.ca,  http://www.diversehamilton.ca/americanCommunity/jamaican.html, Accessessed June 25, 2008
  
  
  

Pages Related To Jamaican Instruments

Still, lots to share with you from Jamaica, don't miss these informative pages:

• The History of Jamaica
• Jamaica's Culture
• Pictures from Jamaica
• Jamaican Proverbs
• Current Events in Jamaica
• Our Jamaican Blog
• Visit my Main Forum Page from Jamaican Instruments

Back to Top of Jamaican Instruments

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

NEW! 

Join the growing list of well-thinking,  Jamaica-Loving folks in our vibrant Private Community

👇🏿

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Medical Scholarships in Jamaica

   Apr 23, 24 04:21 PM

   
   Pursuing a career in medicine is a noble aspiration, however it is quite expensive. These medical scholarships in Jamaica helps to ease the financial burden.

   Read More

2. Why Do People Like Jamaica So Much?

   Apr 23, 24 03:00 PM

   
   Jamaica is one of the top vacation destinations in the Caribbean, which may have you wondering, why do people like Jamaica so much?

   Read More

3. How To Become A Realtor In Jamaica?

   Apr 20, 24 12:09 PM

   Are you eyeing the real estate business but not sure how to become a realtor in Jamaica? This is all you need to know to get started.

   Read More

4. Jamaican Oats Porridge Recipe! Simple and Delicious

   Apr 19, 24 01:49 PM

   
   Yes! Oats porridge, the breakfast of champions! This simple dish is a go-to for most of us. Don’t you want to give the Jamaican Oats Porridge recipe a try?

   Read More

5. Jamaican Passion Fruit Juice | Refreshing, Delicious, Nutritious!

   Apr 18, 24 05:14 PM

   
   Summer is fast approaching. We’ll need many refreshing drinks to take through the warm sunny weather. Why not add Jamaican passion fruit juice to the list?

   Read More