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1938.21.2

Reed flute. With two reed pipes bound together with string and resin. The pipes narrow at the end in a step and are plugged. Each pipe has six stops. [AB [OPS Move] 1/2/2017]

1938.21.2

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Collection type
Object
Description
Reed flute. With two reed pipes bound together with string and resin. The pipes narrow at the end in a step and are plugged. Each pipe has six stops. [AB [OPS Move] 1/2/2017]
Geographical reference
Uganda
Africa > Eastern Africa > Uganda
Cultural groups
Ganda
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1938
Date collected
By 1938
Acquisition information
Donated: 1938
Materials and processes
Material Reed Plant, Material Resin Plant, Material String, Process Perforated, Process Bound
Dimensions
Width: max 25 mm, Depth: max 16 mm, Length: max 227 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1938.21.2
Research and responses

This object could not be examined by Peter Cooke during a research visit in April 2012, but after looking at the database entry he made the following comments: There is no traditional instrument with a fipple (better called 'duct flute') in Uganda though possible imitations of the European recorder may be found (I never met one). The other possibility is that it is a short double flute used in the Ngoma ya kidembwa ensemble of the Wasamba people of Tanzania. This instrument seems to have been inspired by the European two-tone whistle used by policemen and football referees. If it is this instrument then it should have two ducts, one on either side leading to bores of different internal length. See the two images accompanying this file [see report in Researcher's file]. Provided by Dr. Timkehet Teffera (Ethiopia and Berlin) see in her comprehensive survey Aerophone im Instrumentarium der Volker Ostafrikas. Trafo Verlagsgruppe Berlin 2009, 347-352.

A copy of the report sent by Peter Cooke after his research visit has been placed in the Researcher's file. [El.B 09/05/2012]

Search terms: Music, Musical Instrument, Flute

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