Mimby (flautas guaraníes)
The cane, bone or horn flutes of the Guaraní: mimby guasu, tarará and chu'e.
What it is
Among the Guaraní, mimby is the name for flutes. They are made of cane, bone or horn, are blown against an edge and have at most five holes, not always arranged to Western scales. There are the mimby guasu (large), the mimby tarará (trumpet-type) and the mimby chu'e (turtle-type), plus panpipes of three or four canes. It is usually a solo instrument, not played in special ceremonies.
Did you know…?
Kuarahy mimby, 'the flute of the sun', is also the Guaraní name of the whistling heron, and the title of a 1944 symphonic poem by Juan Carlos Moreno González.
Listen to
Look for the symphonic poem 'Kuarahy mimby' to hear how a Paraguayan composer transformed the sound of these flutes.
Music & dance
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.