Raberi (folk violin)

late 19th century

Not on view

Spanish missionaries introduced the violin to native peoples of the Americas in the sixteenth century. The Rarámuri (or Tarahumara) people of the Chihuahua region of Mexico adopted the instrument into their own music. The native peoples constructed their own instruments in the form of the European violin. These violins are typically made of yellow pine wood and have no varnish. They were carved using hand tools. Similarly, the Rarámuri musicians used bows that were also based on European examples. The instruments are used for ceremonies and festivals.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Raberi (folk violin)
Date: late 19th century
Geography: Chihuahua, Mexico
Culture: Native American (Rarámuri / Tarahumara)
Medium: Wood (yellow pine), horse hair
Dimensions: L. 61 cm (24 in.); Diam. 24.1 cm (9-1/2 in.) (L. C. says, "Width, 10 in.")
Classification: Chordophone-Lute-bowed-unfretted
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.563
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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