The txilibito is a fipple flute played with two hands which belongs to the aerophone group.

Description of the instrument

Formerly these flutes used to be made of bone, reed or wood, but lately they are usually made of metal. Today mostly Irish six-hole metal flutes (whistle) and small recorders (with modified holes) are used.

Way of playing

The flute is held with both hands and the mouth is placed on the embouchure. It is blown and played like the rest of flutes.

History

Although we do not know since when, in the displays of the patron saint festivities of Hondarribia, Irun and Tolosa, two-handed flutes like these have been used for years to play the marches and typical melodies, forming a large group and with the help of the band of drums. Formerly fifes or small transverse flutes were also used.

No more news has been found on this type of instrument and it is unknown if those presented here are the only cases. We believe that due to its maintenance in neighbouring countries, in ancient times this type of instrument was also more common here.

SOURCES

Bibliography

BARRENETXEA, J. M. (1984). Apuntes de Txistu. [autoedizioa]

BELLO PORTU, J. (1956). Música de la calle en Tolosa. In Hainbat Egile. Libro Homenaje Tolosa VII Centenario de la fundación de la Villa. 1256-1956. 177-204. Tolosako Udala.

BELTRAN ARGIÑENA, J. M. (1996). Soinutresnak euskal herri musikan. Orain.

BELTRAN ARGIÑENA, J. M. (1997). San Telmo Museoko soinu eta hots tresnak. Jentilbaratz 6. Eusko Ikaskuntza.

BELTRAN ARGIÑENA, J. M. (1998). San Telmo Museoko soinu eta hots tresnak. Lankidetzan bilduma. Eusko Ikaskuntza. [aurrekoaren berrargitalpena]

BELTRAN ARGIÑENA, J. M. (2004). Dultzaina Gipuzkoan. 1950. hamarkada arte. Herri Musika Bilduma, 1. HM Txokoa.

FELIU CORCUERA, A. (1987). Gure Herria. Tradiciones y costumbres del País Vasco. 4 liburuki. Kriseilu.

GORROTXATEGI PIKASARRI, J. M. (2004). Bordon-dantzari begirada-Una mirada a la Bordon-dantza. In Jimeno Jurio, J.M. Tolosa Bordon-dantzaren ikuspegitik. 125-171. Arantzadi Zientzia Elkartea.

GOÑI AUZMENDI, K. (1988). Etnografía de Zerain. Usos del grupo doméstico. In Erkoreka, A., Arregi, G. (koord.). Contribución al atlas etnográfico de Euskalerria: investigaciones en Bizkaia y Gipuzkoa 643-767. Eusko Ikaskuntza.

LAUZURICA, J. J. (1986). El chiflo. Dantzariak, 32, 5-9. Euskal Dantzarien Biltzarra.

RETEGUI, J. M. (2003). Tamborrada. Alarde de San Marcial de Irun. / Danborrada. Irungo San Martzialetako Alardea. Asociación Tamborrada del Alarde Tradicional de San Marcial de Irun.

TUDURI ESNAL, J. M. (1992). Argazkiak Tolosa – Fotografías. Tolosako Udala-Kutxa.

Discography

IRUNGO ALARDEA. (1996). San Martzial Eguna. Enixe Records / Enixe 02.

Filmography

BASTERRETXEA-LARRUQUERT. (1968). Ama lur / Tierra madre. Euskadiko Filmategia.

CARO BAROJA, Julio eta Pio. (1979). Gipuzkoa. Gipuzkoa-Donostia Kutxa.

LARRUKERT, Fernando. (1978). Euskal herri-musika. Euskadiko Filmategia.