My object is a Dominican instrument called the Güira. It’s commonly made out of steel. It’s a metal scraper. You make sound out of it by using a stiff brush that comes with it. It is used as a percussion instrument in Cumbia and Merengue and other genres like Bachata too. It’s similar to the Cuban Guayo. The Güira is often found in Merengue Tipico which uses a combination of percussion instruments and the Tambora (another Dominican instrument). Performers who use the Güira are called Güireroes. The Güira is important to my family because we do listen to lots of music in Dominican Republic and merengue is a pretty big part of my culture. 

– Andrew Rodreguiz

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant