Putipù

.

The putipù is a

cylindrical sound box closed at the top by a stretched membrane, with a bamboo cane attached at the center. The instrument is played by rubbing the rod with a wet hand, cloth, or sponge

, that causes the membrane to vibrate.

The putipu exists in several variants, differing on the materials and dimensions. Other common names are caccavella, puti-puti, pignato, cute-cute, cupellone, bufù (in Molise) and cupa-cupa (especially in Apulia). Some of these names are onomatopoeias of the sound. The instrument is also called pernacchiatore (literally "raspberry blower") on account of its sound.

Parts and variations

Ceramic image of the Neapolitan folk character Pulcinella playing the putipù.

In the variants called caccavella and pan-bomba, the sound box is made of

tin can, like those used for tomatoes. The edges of the sound box may be decorated with colored ribbons

.

The membrane is usually made from the skin of an animal; generally of goat, sheep or rabbit, very rarely of donkey or of calf. A heavy cloth may be used instead.

The lower end of the bamboo cane is inserted in a hole made in the middle of the membrane, and tightly tied to it. The upper end of the cane may have some decorative element.

Parts and variations

See also