About the Artist

Stringed instruments were extremely rare in American cultures prior to contact with Europeans. It is thought that the Apache violin was likely derived from Spanish or American examples of violins or fiddles. Apache men made violins from sections of agave stalk. which had been split. hollowed. tied together with buckskin or wire and plugged at the ends. One-string and two-string violins were made by attaching sinew to the bottom. The sinew ran the length of the violin and attached to a tuning peg on top. Also referred to at times as the Apache fiddle, the instrument was played by men for pleasure and entertainment.