tumpi

Tumpi is a term used in several South American cultural and musical contexts to refer to traditional percussion instruments. Because the term appears across diverse linguistic and regional traditions, it does not have a single, uniform meaning.

In many ethnographic accounts, tumpi denotes a handheld rhythm instrument used in folk and indigenous ensembles. The instrument may be a small frame drum, a shaker or rattle, or a combination instrument produced by attaching seeds, shells, or beads to a frame or vessel. Materials and construction vary, with some examples using carved wood or gourds and others using metal or cloth components. Playing techniques range from striking with hands or sticks to shaking or rattling, and the resulting sound is typically bright and rhythmic to accompany singing, dancing, or storytelling.

Cultural role also varies by region. In some Andean communities, tumpi is linked to harvest festivals and local ceremonies; in other areas, the term may describe a similar instrument used in modern fusion or world music contexts. The lack of a centralized definition in English-language sources reflects regional diversity and ongoing ethnomusicological study.

See also: percussion, shaker, drum, Andean music, native South American instruments.