Mbita-Ni-Tanga
Nose flutes are played by blowing the instrument with the nose rather than the mouth. Holding one nostril shut with thumb or finger, the musician blows into a small hole near the top of the instrument with the other nostril. Nose flutes are typically made from bamboo and used in informal settings. This example is from Fiji, where nose flutes were played by both sexes to provide soothing music when at rest or during courting.
Artwork Details
- Title: Mbita-Ni-Tanga
- Date: ca. 1830
- Geography: Fiji
- Culture: Melanesian (Fijian)
- Medium: Bamboo
- Dimensions: 27 15/16 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/4 in. (70.9 × 4.4 × 4.4 cm)
- Classification: Aerophone-Blow Hole-nose flute
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.795
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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