Mejoranera

Mejoranera

Mejoraneras.
String instrument
Classification	chordophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	321.322 (necked lute)
Related instruments
bandola, bandolin, viola de cocho

The Mejorana or Mejoranera is a folkloric Chordophone from Panama. It is carved from one block of wood (usually cedar^[1])or from dry fibers of Bejuco, and is shaped like a small guitar. It has five nylon, horse hair, or gut strings.^[2][3] The Mejoranera is tuned in either an e'-b-a-a'-d' (by 2) or an e'-b-g-g'-d' (by 6) sequence ^[4]For common tunings,see Stringed instrument tunings.

A common Mejoranera tuning.

The History of the Instrument

The first Spanish conquistadors arrived on the isthmus of Panama in the early part of the sixteenth century, in which sailors brought a style of tap dance known to them as "zapateo," now known as "mejorana" dance, which includes this instrument^[5]. The mejoranera is similar to a guitar but slightly smaller and with a shorter neck; this is due to the relation of the baroque guitar that was brought over from Europe. It first appeared at the town of La Mesa in Veraguas, but is now popular in all central provinces, Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, and the most representative musical instrument of this country.

Cultural Importance and Usage

The Mejoranera is used in many of the folkloric music in Panama, but most importantly within "mejoranas." These mejoranas are Romantic ballads that are sung exclusively be men in the community in either the privacy of their own home or at public celebrations. For this same reason, there is a heavy importance in the mejoranera, for they are the primary instrument of choice for these men who sing mejoranas^[6].

References

1. ^ http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/18295?q=mejoranera&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit
2. ^ http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/central_america.htm
3. ^ The Stringed Instrument Database
4. ^ http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/18295?q=mejoranera&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit
5. ^ Jones, Ken (2010). "Typical Music in Panama" (in English). Panama Business and Travel. Focus Publications. http://www.panamabusinessandtravel.com/Typical-Music-in-Panama.php. 
6. ^ http://www.jstor.org/stable/1495643?seq=3