A medieval woodwind musical instrument, a double-reed pipe producing a loud, piercing sound, popular in Spanish and Portuguese music.
From Spanish chirimía, possibly derived from Greek aulos or related woodwind terms, or from Arabic influences in Iberian music. Used in European music from the medieval period onward, particularly in Spanish ceremonial and folk music.
The chirimia was SO loud and piercing that medieval composers actually had to write differently for it than for other instruments—some pieces were literally marked 'chirimia' to warn everyone this would be ear-splittingly bright and festive!
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