CHANGUI & CHANGUI BONGOS - Changui

[Isaac]

I've been watching some of the great
Changui bongos on youtube over the past year or more.
I enjoy the "rubbery" sound and freedom
as they work around the bass marimbula's foundation.

It's a completely different and I suspect
older path than our present day bongos
follow. Any insights or history
would help. I've heard a bit about it's
Haitian roots.

I don't know if they're
intended to be hardwood or hollowed
palm trees which are lighter and more
porous - a different sound.

Now I'd like to build some shells to use for a set
just for Changui. I know they're tackheads,
but don't know if they should be calf or goat.
If anyone has some photos or a rough idea
of the sizes, please let me know. From what I can
tell in the short video clips,
what I can see is that they look to be larger heads - apx.
8"/ 9" diameter heads?, and a bit conical tapering
towards the bottom. The length I'm guessing
is about 10 or 11 inches?
Anyone has ever seen the real thing? Here's those links below:

Thanks in Advance,

ISAAC
funkytradition@yahoo.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZGek0v-YjQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N53o9rFn0EU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxbueClXzLU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6C4Lm9F3k8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjRtfLroT2Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQFJDim1B8U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfl1Y3uPqRc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYrczq0CgM0&feature=related

[tocandorumba]

Hey Isaac. Thanks again for hooking up that mule head for my tumba. Haven't mounted it yet, still deciding on the rim.

In 2001, I had the good fortune to study with Juancito of Grupo Ban Ra Ra. We worked on mostly rhythms from Eastern Cuba and he mentioned that he had some Changui bongos for sale. I love changui so I had to buy them. They are made of cedar and smell great. The heads are thin and tacked, 7" and 8" across. Here's some pics!







As I said- I love changui, hermano. The sound is very close to Africa. From the Smithsonian Folkways liner notes to "Cuba in Washington"-

[I]In the 1960's members of the Latamblet family (co-founders of Grupo Changui de Guantanamo) learned many songs from their 100 year-old African grandmother, Atina. [I]

Posted some of my favorite Changui recordings in my MySpace blog Changui playlist.


Recordings are from:

Grupo Changui de Guantanamo/AfroCuba de Matanzas/Cuarteto Patria & Compay Segundo "Cuba in Washington" (rec. 1989 Smithsonian Folkways SF CD 40461) Great liner notes with lyrics in Spanish + English, plus AfroCuba featuring Virulilla on vocals, Grupo C de G, Eliades Ochoa & Compay Segundo all performing separate sets. Well recorded.

Grupo Changui de Guantanamo "Llegaron los Changuiceros" (rec. 1989, 1983 Lucho 7713-2)

Grupo Changui de Guantanamo & Estrellas Campesinas "Changui" (rec 1988 Traditional Crossroads CD 4290) Excellent liner notes

Issac Delgado "En Primera Plana" Track #10-"Como Se Toca, Se Baila" featuring Giovanni Hidalgo (rec. 2007 La Calle)

[Isaac]

Beautiful photos....Thanks Jonathan !

ISAAC

[bongosnotbombs]

Akbar at Sol Drums used to make them.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... hangui.jpg

[Tonio]

The interplay between the bongos and marimbula is very nice. I always loved the marimbula. Thanks for the link Isaac.

Now I wonder how the two got meddled together? Possibly the missing 3rd abakua drum filled by the marimbula.?

T

[korman]

Cuban oriente was (and still is) culturally different from Havana and Matanzas, so this rhythm section may have evolved independently. Marimbula was used as bass instrument in early son, which also originated in the eastern part.



Edited By korman on 1198153175

[ralph]

David Peñalosa has done some rather interesting research on the origins of the bongo del monte, I believe according to Dave, the bongo del monte come out of the tumba francesa tradition which is also prevalent on that side of the island, i hope i didn't get it wrong....

Also Ben Lapidus, tresero and leader of Sonido Isleño is working on a book, that touches on the subject as well, although I haven't heard of its release date...Ben has traveled to Cuba various times, and has talked to various exponents of the instrument...he is a scholar.

[Isaac]

Thanks, I found that well written article by Ben Lapidus online. It's been published already as part of
a larger collection of essays called - Cuban Counterpoints: The Legacy Of Fernando Ortiz.
I actually won the book in a door prize raffle last spring...but moved shortly after
and havn't unpacked it yet ! Here's that essay online. ~ ISAAC

http://books.google.com/books?i....A237,M1