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The zambomba is two things in Spain. It’s a musical instrument, but also a traditional Christmas “fiesta” of carols where said instrument is played. Paul Whitelock, who has just been to one of these zambombas flamencas for the first time, explains.
Zambomba – the musical instrument
The zambomba is a friction musical instrument. In Spain, the zambomba is an instrument that frequently accompanies the singing of Christmas carols and popular songs. It is also used in many other Latin American countries in their traditional music.
It consists of a more or less large hollow cylinder that can be made of different materials (ceramic, wood, etc.) with one of its ends closed with a piece of leather. This is crossed through the centre with a rod, which can be made of wood or other materials. This rod is sometimes replaced by a rope. By rubbing the rod or rope with both hands, the vibration produced by the rod or rope is transmitted to the leather, producing a low and peculiar sound.
Zambomba is also the name of a typical Christmas fiesta in some parts of Spain, especially in Andalucía, at which Christmas carols are sung accompanied by said instrument.
During the run-up to Christmas in Ronda, the local group La Marmorena is presenting two different zambombas at the Teatro Vicente Espinel. One is a group of twelve actors, musicians and singers, entitled Ven a mi casa por Navidad; the other a collection of flamenco singers and players called Ronda suena a Navidad. Both are to be presented twice. (More information at www.giglon.es)
Because of the Covid-19-limited capacity of the theatre, the tickets, which were free-of-charge, went quickly. The Meter Maid and I had the good fortune to get two seats for the second performance of Ven a mi casa por Navidad this past weekend.
The stage was set as the Last Supper, with the 12 participants sitting at a long table decked with food and wine. The quintet of women were the singers, five of the men formed the band and the two remaining men and one of the women were the actors that linked the songs, with their optimistic observations on the difficult times we are experiencing and how Christmas can be a way of lighting up our lives.
Over the course of an hour and a bit, the audience was treated to a fiesta of singing and dancing of the greatest variety and highest quality. Songs ranged from traditional flamenco to jazz to Irving Berlin, most with a Christmassy theme. There was no programme, so we did not know who was who, although I did find out subsequently that the redheaded lady with the magnificent singing voice was a rondeña called Martha Pérez. She was outstanding, but the other four were extremely good too! They each had about three solos, as well as contributing backing vocals.
The band, comprising two Spanish classical guitarists, one of whom sometimes played what looked like a ukulele; an electric guitarist-cum-bassist; a keyboard player; and a percussionist, who played the zambomba on some numbers, were really tight and played the various musical genres on offer with great skill.
This was our first ever experience of a zambomba and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Worth every penny!
A subsequent drink with friends we bumped into at the show, followed by a delicious lunch à deux in Restaurante Las Maravillas, topped off a great afternoon.
¡Feliz Navidad!
