Violí de bufa

The violí de bufa is Catalan instrument, a type of bladder fiddle, made of a pig's bladder connected to a bowed stick of cane, over which pass one to three strings, that are "bowed" with another knobby stick, as though playing the double bass.¹

In Ripoll and other places bordering the Ter, the instrument is traditionally played during Carnestoltes (Carnival), and produces a deep and dull sound, like a simbomba marina.¹

The instrument has been labeled primitive and unrefined, but despite its limited repertoire historically found popularity with peasant dances and popular songs.¹

Bufa is Aragonese for "pig's bladder."²³ The word means "buffoonery" in Spanish.⁴