Whistle

Kuba, Ngend or Yaka people

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681

A plain, tapering tube topped by a bulbous open end and an appendage with a single finger hole is a common southern Congolese whistle form. This rare instrument, an elaboration of the simpler form, is incised with line-filled triangles, and decorated with coiled copper wire and an imposing fluted lance carved at its lower end. Among the Kuba people nshyemb may also indicate an ivory flute.

Whistle, Wood, copper wire, Kuba, Ngend or Yaka  people

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