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The Jarocho Jarana Is Back.
It never really was gone, but the old, traditional Jarocho Jarana is being revived. It’s the string instrument (guitar like but smaller and played more percussively) used to play the traditional music of Veracruz, “son jarocho.”
The nickname for the people of Veracruz is Jarocho, and the term is also applied to those things typical and traditional of Veracruz culture.
The jarana has 5 string positions. The upper and lower carry individual strings
and the center three usually carry a pair of strings.
Modern jaranas are built much like guitars—separate pieces for the bottom, sides, top, and neck. The modern ones also have gear driven tuning knobs. Every night of the week, five or size Veracruz groups (with their modern jaranas and harps) wander the outdoor restaurants of the zocalo playing for a living.
The Jarocho Jarana, the jarana that brought music to the people of Veracruz for hundreds of years is built—back, sides, and neck—from a solid piece of wood. In essence, the body of the jarana is carved from wood stock and then a top and fingerboard are added. Tuning is by pegs.
Government funding is supporting the return of the Jarocho Jarana and the traditional music. La Bamba is the piece (and often the only piece) of Veracruz (of jarocho) music most of us know. Son jarocho is percussive, lively, rhythm-intense music.
It’s also pure fun and happiness.
Eric Langner March 10, 2008 11:34 AM