421.111.22 Stopped single end-blown flutes with fingerholes

Nguru, unusually large end-blown flute of gourd form, closed at the distal end. The flute is carved from a single piece of wood, oval-shaped in cross section. The entire outer surface is incised with shallowly carved decoration, made with metal tools. The large circular mouth hole has a narrow raised lip at the proximal end. Four fingerholes, three of which are on the front surface. Of these, the third is sited on a tapering spout-like section of wood, with the fourth and lowest beneath it. Although the ring of haliotis shell around the distal fingerhole on the front is in tact, the two proximal rings are bushed with slightly iridescent foil of bluish ?tin, and the lowest fingerhole has no ring. A raised section on the underside has a lateral hole for a carrying strap.

Fingerholes are used to alter the length of the vibrating column of air, giving different notes.

Collection Information

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