The ''trompeta china'' (also called ''corneta china''), a Cuban traditional wind instrument, is actually the Chinese ''
suona
The ''suona,'' also called ''dida,'' laba or ''haidi'', is a traditional double-reeded Chinese musical instrument. The ''suona's'' basic design originated in ancient Iran, then called " Sorna". It appeared in China around the 3rd century and ...
'', an instrument in the
oboe
The oboe ( ) is a type of double-reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites.
The most common type of oboe, the soprano oboe pitched in C, ...
family (and thus not a trumpet, despite its name) introduced to
Cuba
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...
by
Chinese immigrants
Overseas Chinese people are people of Chinese origin who reside outside Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). As of 2011, there were over 40.3 million overseas Chinese. As of 2023, there were 10.5 million people livin ...
during the colonial period (specifically the late nineteenth century).
The ''trompeta china'' is used primarily in
Cuban carnival
The first African drums were heard in Cuba, since the 16th century, only during the celebration of certain feasts, such as the Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day) and Carnestolendas or Carnival, because their use was restricted to some mutual aid soc ...
music, particularly in the eastern region of
Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
, where it is an integral part of the ''
comparsa
A comparsa is a group of singers, musicians and dancers that take part in carnivals and other festivities in Spain and Latin America. Its precise meaning depends on the specific regional celebration. The most famous comparsas are those that part ...
'' (carnival musical ensemble).
[Mauleon, Rebeca. ]
The Salsa Guidebook
'. Sher Music, 2011. The instrument has also been adopted for use in some forms of
''son''. Players of the ''trompeta china'' are not necessarily of Chinese ancestry, and in Cuba the instrument's playing style is more imitative of a trumpet than the traditional playing style of the ''suona'' or any other Chinese instrument.
In addition to its use in Cuba, Canadian jazz saxophonist and flautist
Jane Bunnett
Mary Jane Bunnett, (born October 22, 1956) is a Canadian musician and educator. A soprano saxophonist, flautist and bandleader, she is especially known for performing Afro-Cuban jazz. She travels regularly to Cuba to perform with Cuban musicians. ...
has taken up the ''trompeta china'' and uses it with her Afro-Cuban jazz band.
See also
*
Conga (music)
The term conga refers to the music groups within Cuban comparsas and the music they play. Comparsas are large ensembles of musicians, singers and dancers with a specific costume and choreography which perform in the street carnivals of Santiago d ...
References
Cuban musical instruments
Oboes
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