Botija

The botija (botijuela; bunga) is a Caribbean musical instrument of the aerophone type. It was used in the early son sextetos in Cuba. The botija is a potbellied earthenware jug or jar with two openings. The botija was initially used to bring over kerosene from Spain. After the kerosene was used, the botija was then used to hide and keep money underground and it was also buried to prevent the passage of humidity to the floors of the houses built in low or muddy lands. The player creates sound across a hole in the side whilst controlling the sound with his fingers in the mouth of the jug. It is filled with water to specific levels and is blown into to produce bass pitches. It was also played by inserting one end of a reed-like stick into the botija and the other end was held in between the player's teeth. The reed was used to guide the emission of air, allowing dexterity to play while moving away or near the opening of the botija while blowing. The instrument produces a bass sound. The botija is now a relic instrument; the son groups replaced it with the double bass during the 1920s.