Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimba.htm
The marimba is structurally a xylophone, but instead of one large soundbox for all the bars, it has a soundbox for each bar.
Traditionally gourds or calabashes were used as soundboxes. Modern marimbas often have metal bars, in shape similar to tubular bells, for individual soundboxes. The marimba most likely originated in Africa, and was taken to Latin America where it was further modified to play chromatically.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimba.htm
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimba.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJPQ0ilaRU