Marimba of Chonta (Marimba de Chonta)- Made up of 24 planks,which are made from a type of wood that's extracted from the 'chonta' palm, which is found in the Pacific coast. There are many varieties of 'chonta' and some players of the marimba prefer some types over others because of the different sounds each makes.The marimba is played with wooden sticks made of a bamboo type which have natural rubber at the top; the natual rubber is extracted from trees. A marimba of 24 planks is executed by 2 persons.
Male Cununo (Cununo Macho)- This instrument plays along and in conjunction with the female cununo.The inside is of hollow wood, that's in form of a cone, the bottom part is made of wood, and the top is made of male wild deer skin.
Female Cununo (Cununo Hembra)- This instrument plays along and in conjunction with the male cununo.The inside is of hollow wood, that's in form of a cone, the bottom part is made of wood, and the top is made of female wild deer skin.
Male Bombo (Bombo Macho)
Female Bombo (Bombo Hembra)
The Bombos are made from a trunk of wood, of a specific tree type in the Pacific coast, where the pulp is extracted, leaving a hollow trunk. The wood is very light, and this instrument has two skin types. One is 'venado' deer skin and the other of 'tatabro' wild pig skin. It has two rings that give it, it's final tie, it is tied at the top with string or 'bejuco', but now it is being made with nylon, which is more resistant.
Guazas- The small percusssion, made of a sort of bamboo with seeds inside, normally executed by the female voices of a group.
The rhythm and dance most traditionally performed with these instruments is the Currulao. It is led by the player of the marimba or the 'marimbero'. Currualo is the most representative rhythm of the southern Colombian Pacific coast (Valle, Cauca, and Nariño). However, other rhythms practiced and performed in the southern Pacific region of Colombia are: JUGAS, BUNDES, PANGO, PATACORE, and BEREJU. The marimba ensemble usually has 3 or 4 singers, but in some communities such as Timbiqui, Cauca or Tumaco, Nariño they utilize 5 or 6.
