Tin txulubita. JMBA collection, no. 70. (Photo: O. Zapirain – Soinuenea)
How are they made?
Take a can of peppers or a strip of tin. Cut two pieces with a pair of scissors, like the ones in the drawing (5x1.5 cm and 8x1.8 cm). Fold them where marked.
Afterwards, round off the longest piece to form the air container and the structure of the txulubita. Next, place the other piece of tin around the straight part (at the mouth part); bend it well, forming a clean channel for the air to pass through. The rolled up part should be in front of the channel, but leave a gap, without touching. To finish, fold what is left over from the long part of the rounded piece under the mouthpiece.
How are they played?
The txulubita must be held in a special way. First, cover both sides of the air vessel with two fingers (thumb and forefinger). The grooved part is then inserted into the mouth and air is blown out. The toy is ready to whistle. If you want to get a trill, put a cork or a small ball inside the container; the ball will start to rotate from the air flow and will cause the trill.
A young man playing a tin txulubita. (Photo: JMBA)
