Mulatto musicians from Choluteca, Honduras, play music on simple wind instruments. Throughout pre-Columbian times, the Indians knew only two kinds of musical instruments: drums and wind instruments (flutes, trumpets, whistles, ocarinas) made of rushes, bamboo or clay. Stringed instruments such as guitars, harps, violins and mandolins made their appearance at the time of the Spanish conquest of America. Later, brass instruments such as trumpets, trombones, saxophones and horns were introduced and adopted by the natives. The introduction of new instruments went hand in hand with the introduction of a Western-style musical aesthetic. The use of foreign instruments and the adoption of foreign melodies significantly changed the folklore of the region. - 1977

A mulatto from Choluteca, Honduras, plays a simple wind instrument. Throughout pre-Columbian times, the Indians knew only two kinds of musical instruments: drums and wind instruments (flutes, trumpets, whistles, ocarinas) made of rushes, bamboo or clay. Stringed instruments such as guitars, harps, violins and mandolins made their appearance at the time of the Spanish conquest of America. Later, brass instruments such as trumpets, trombones, saxophones and horns were introduced and adopted by the natives. The introduction of new instruments went hand in hand with the introduction of a Western-style musical aesthetic. - 1977

The marimba, a xylophone of African origin encountered in most places, probably arrived in Central America during the slave era. The instrument has undergone noticeable changes over time, both in shape and dimensions. It is voluminous and consists of several dozen tone woods, each of which has a resonance box. Two or three natives stand in front of this keyboard, which they work with small sticks. At folk festivals, they are often accompanied by wind instruments, such as saxophones, trumpets or trombones. The latter originate from Europe and were adopted by the natives. - 1977

In Chichicastenango, the indigenous people celebrate the day of Santo Tomás, patron saint of this beautiful Guatemalan village, on 21 December. The marimba, a xylophone of African origin, found in most places, was probably introduced into Central America during slavery. However, it has undergone significant changes over time, both in terms of its shape and size. It is a bulky instrument with several dozen wooden keys, each with a resonance box. Two or three natives stand in front of this keyboard and strike it with small sticks. In many popular festivals, they are still accompanied by players of wind instruments such as saxophones, trumpets and trombones. These instruments, which came from Europe, were immediately adopted by the locals. - 1977

The main festival in Chichicastenango is celebrated every 21st December during the winter solstice in honour of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Throughout pre-Columbian times, the Indians knew only two types of musical instruments, drums and wind instruments (flutes, trumpets, whistles and ocarinas) made of cane stalks, bamboo or clay. - 1977

The main festival in Chichicastenango is celebrated every 21st December during the winter solstice in honour of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Throughout the pre-Columbian period, the Indians knew only two types of musical instruments, drums and wind instruments (flutes, trumpets, whistles and ocarinas) made of cane stalks, bamboo or clay. Instruments made of copper such as trumpets, trombones, saxophones and horns were soon adopted by the natives from the Spanish conquerors. The use of the foreign musical instruments and the adoption of a foreign type of music brought noticeable changes to the folklore of the indigenous people. - 1977

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