1870 O Nunes Maderian Machete & 1870 J Gomes Maderian Rajao | Bryan Tolentino & Aaron Keim

[@marimaeabreu]

I have been enjoying watching these videos and the snippets on IG, it's Interesting to learn about the history.

[@ukulelefriend1879]

Mahalo for following, Marimae!

[@rubyrodstewart]

Awesome video! Some of the closest instruments in appearance are the instruments used in the style of son jarocho, from Veracruz Mexico. This is music that came from enslaved Africans who lived in and around the city of Veracruz from the 16th century onward. Many of us are likely familiar with the most popular tune, "La Bamba". Instrument wise the jarana is strummed and has 5 courses in re-entrant tuning, GCEAG (both Gs are the same pitch). The requinto, with 4 and more recently 5 courses is plucked with an espiga (like a reisha from the oud) and is tuned usually CDGc or GADg. The leona is a bass range instrument, tuned just like the aforementioned requinto except the low C is the same as on a cello and the low G the same as on cello as well. It's amazing how closely these instruments look to the machete and rajao you're discussing here. Most are still created in the traditional style - neck and body fashioned from a single block of wood, hollowed out with a top(soundboard) and fretboard glued on. The older stye don't even have a separate fretboard, as with the rennasiance/baroque guitar they had a single neck and body with the fretboard equal level with the soundboard. If you wanted to search these instruments try names like jarana jarocha, etc. There is a great video of the master musician, teacher and luthier in this style, named Tacho Utrera creating an instrument in the traditional style. Anyway, thanks again for your video! I haven't seen much comparision of the machete, rajao or ukelele with the instruments of son jarocho but the tunings, method of playing and appearance seem to suggest some sort of link even if they are only cousins.

[@ukulelefriend1879]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing your insights and for watching the video as well. Mahalo!

[@patrieswichers1961]

In Indonesia it became the 'keroncong gitar' in former Jakarta (Batavia) amongst the inhabitants of TUGU where former slaves and multi-ethnic people, Euro-Asians "Indo's' developed the keroncong music. Which still lives on in the Netherlands and Indonesia.