A folk musical instrument of the Caribbean (not to be confused with a marimba), it is usually classified as a lamellophone. With its roots in African instruments, marimbula originated in Cuba in the 19th century. Eventually it spread throughout the Caribbean the Americas and Africa, from Liberia to the Congo. By the 1930s it had made its way to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and as far away as New York City. The Cubans call it marímbula, and most other Caribbean countries have adopted this name or some variant of it. The sound of a marimbula is produced by plucking the free ends of springy plates (tongues or keys) attached by one end to a resonator box.

This instrument was very important in the development of Afro-Cuban music as it was one of the basic instruments played by changui musicians (the predecessor of son). Designs of marimbulas vary greatly, in terms of the material of resonator, the number and arrangement of keys, the overall arrangement and size of the instrument and the way it is played.

Unlike typical African lamellophones used to produce complex polyphony and polyrhythms, the marimbula basically plays the role of a bass guitar, to provide the rhythmic and harmonic support for a band, although it can produce a simple melody as well.

The marimbula became quite popular in Jamaica in combination with guitars, drums, maracas and vocals in churches, where it was known as church and clap, in nightclubs where it was known as Jazz Jim and among the various hotel performers, who played mento music. It can still be found in use among mento musicians today, such as the Jolly Boys.