d from solid blocks of laurelwood and known for resonances and pitches different from those producedby its Spanish counterpart, this instruments graceful baroque body has beenrevered for decades as the national instrument of Puerto Rico.Also prevalent on the island are such percussion instruments astambous (hollowed tree trunks covered with stretched-out animal skin),maracas (gourds filled with pebbles or dried beans and mounted on handles),and a variety of drums whose original designs were brought from Africa bythe island's slaves. All these instruments contribute to the rich variety offolk music with roots in the cultural melting pot of island's Spanish, African,and Tano traditions. ...
