Caha di orgel
![]() Wooden L-shaped frame with the soundboard coverd in red | |
Other names | Caha di musica Tingilingi-box |
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Classification | Chordophone |
Caha di orgel (/ˈkaha di ˈɔrɡəl/ KAH-hah dee OR-gəl) is a mechanical music instrument that bridges the gap between a barrel piano and an organ.[1]
It plays a significant role in Aruban, Bonairean, and Curaçaoan culture.[1] In the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Kaha di òrgel" is officially recognized as part of the country's Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2016.[2][3]
Terminology
[edit]In 1772, London-based company Flight-Robson sold pipe organs with cylinders for mechanical drive. John Hicks, a piano maker in the early 19th century, innovatively used cylinders to propel hammers against strings. This groundbreaking application occurred in an organ builder's workshop, resulting in the misnomers "Organillo" (Spain), "Organetto" (Italy), and "Kaha di òrgel", "Caha di musica", or "Tingilingi box" (Curaçao and Aruba) for cylinder pianos.[4][5]
History
[edit]The first barrel pianos were crafted in Germany and gained popularity across Europe under various names such as street organ, barrel organ, or barrel piano. At the end of the nineteenth century, c. 1880, after Horatio Sprock (1866–1949) encountered it in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, he built the first organ in Curaçao (c. 1912 – c. 1940).[6][4] From Curaçao, the instrument became known on Aruba and Bonaire. After an initial period of success, interest waned until a revival occurred in the mid-twentieth century on Aruba. Over the years, this tradition has been brought to the Netherlands, where the practice of playing the instrument has been actively embraced. Some players tour the country to provide performances upon request.[7][8]
In Bonaire, it was a tradition; currently, it is hardly actively practiced on the island. Meanwhile, the Aruban Kaha di òrgel variant is slightly faster than the Curaçao variant.[8]
In the 20th century, notable figures like Rufo Wever (1917–1977) in Aruba (c. 1940) and Edgar Palm (1905–1998) in Curaçao were known for crafting and fine-tuning the cylinders of the caha di orgel.[9] Playing this instrument requires one person to turn the crank while another plays the wiri.
Design and features
[edit]The Caha di orgel consists of a wooden (mahogany) sound box with an interchangeable rotating cylinder that can hold a maximum of 8 music pieces (approximately 5,000 small nails). Operated by a crank (manigeta), the cylinder sets the instrument in motion. It is particularly well-suited for specific music genres, including waltz, joropo, tumba, polka, danza, and mazurka.[1][8] Notably, the cylinder's capacity allows for only half the number of notes compared to a regular piano.[10][6]
Source
[edit]- Alcalá-Wallé, Marilyn; Parabirsing-Balentina, Herta; Rosaria-Wallé, Nidia (2022). E Cilinder Magico entre Aruba y Curaçao [The Magic Cylinder between Aruba and Curaçao] (in Papiamento). Curaçao. ISBN 978-99904-5-362-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Palm, E.R. (1992). Handleiding bij de studie van onze kaha di orgel [Manual for the study of our kaha di orgel]. PROMUZA.
- Pool, John de (1935). "Music de Baile". Del Curacao que se va [From the Curacao that is leaving]. pp. 38–42 – via Leiden University Libraries Digital Collections.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Kaha di òrgel". SPLIKA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ "2019: Het jaar van de Kaha di Òrgel op Curaçao". Immaterieel Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap (2019-12-06). "Advies voordrachten Unesco-verdrag immaterieel erfgoed - Advies - Raad voor Cultuur". www.raadvoorcultuur.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b Halman, J.I.M. "Geschiedenis van de Kaha di orgel" [History of the Kaha di orgel] (PDF). Stichting SPLIKA. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ Overheid, Aruba (2018-11-09). "Caha di orgel". www.overheid.aw (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b "Tradishon di Ka'i òrgel: herensia kultural bibu - National Archaeological - Anthropological Memory Management". naam.cw (in Punjabi). 2014-12-16. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ 1000awesomethingsaboutcuracao (2013-07-31). "679. Curaçao Music Box". 1000 Awesome Things About Curaçao. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c "Kaha di òrgel". Immaterieel Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ "Hommage aan de musicus-componist Edgar Palm" [Homage to the musician-composer Edgar Palm] (PDF). palmstichting.nl. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Palm 1992.
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