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The suura koma horn is always played in pairs. It is held vertically, extending over the player's head, with the right hand supporting the mouthpiece. The suura koma is reserved exclusively for use in ritual music and dance honouring the spirits of the dead.

Suura koma, brass crescent-shaped horn, made in three sections. The bore of the proximal section tapers sharply to a narrow tube supporting the mouthpiece. Four rings encircle the body of the instrument, two of them at the joints. A badge is fixed to the tube above the distal ring, and a thin metal garland of undulating outline encircles the bell. It was made in Parlakhemundi, Gajapathi, Orissa, India (date unknown).

horn; suura koma
2007.349
Musical Instruments

1 item (description level: top)

423.121.22
Broad category
Aerophone
Additional names, titles, or classifications
classified as:  horns
object name (Horniman Ethno.):  horn
object name (local):  suura koma
classified as:  423.121.22
classified as:  423.121.22

Place
Orissa, India, South Asia; Asia
Additional place information
made:  Parlakhemundi, Gajapathi, Orissa 
Collector
Killius, Rolf
Additional collector information
collector:   Killius, Rolf 
Culture
Sora
Additional culture information
Sora  (Orissa)

Materials and techniques
brass
Additional material & technique information
material: brass (overall)
Measurements
overall (approx): 1805 mm; bell diameter: 73 mm
Additional measurement information
bell diameter: 73 mm
overall (approx): 1805 mm

Use
The thicker part of the instrument is held in a cupped left hand, while the mouth piece is supported by the right hand. The instrument is held vertically, parallel with the body. Usually two instruments are used, each playing a different sound. Two different sounds are produced by playing the instrument like a horn or a trumpet (i.e. each instrument plays two different notes).
Manufacture
lost-wax or 'cire perdue' process (not observed by collectors)


Related subjects
classified as: 423.121.22 End blown labrosones with curved or folded tubes with mouthpiece
material: brass
classified as: horns
object name (Horniman Ethno.): horns

Record created 2007-07-20 by KLINDEN
Record last updated 2012-12-08 by ANACTORIA

Location

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This information comes from our collections database. Some of this is incomplete and there may be some errors. The database sometimes uses language taken from historical documents to help research, which may now appear outdated and even offensive. The database also includes information on objects that are considered secret or sacred by some communities.

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