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1921.9.105

Large wooden royal bugle. Of wood covered in skin, used only for dances, especially for New Moon.

1921.9.105

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Collection type
Object
Description
Large wooden royal bugle. Of wood covered in skin, used only for dances, especially for New Moon.
Geographical reference
Uganda
Africa > Eastern Africa > Uganda
Western Region [Hoima, Kibale, Masindi districts] / Bunyoro-Kitara
Cultural groups
Nyoro
Person
Field collector John Roscoe
Field collector Mackie Ethnological Expedition
PRM source John Roscoe
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1919
Date collected
circa 1919
Acquisition information
Donated: 1921
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Skin, Process Perforated, Process Covered
Dimensions
Depth: max 16 mm mouth hole, Width: max 35 mm mouth hole, Length: max 705 mm, Diameter: max 100 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1921.9.105
Research and responses

This object was examined by Peter Cooke during a research visit in April 2012. He made the following comments: These trumpets are not only used for dances. Ensembles of these are playing in processions. [El.B 13/04/2012]

Further comments by Peter Cooke: 105 is a side-blown gourd-trumpet known as ekkondere or makondere (pl. amakondere) normally played in hocketing sets of as many as twelve or more (though often less). The amakondere sets are prominent instruments at any of the royal occasions (coronations, anniversaries, birthdays, New Moon rituals etc.). This instrument is a medium sized member of a set, longer amakondere of Bunyoro often have splints bound along the outer walls to give extra strength to the joints between the sections of bottle-necked gourd used to build up the length. This particular instrument is also built up from two or more sections of gourd stitched together as can be seen if one looks into the bell.

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]

Associated publications
Rev. John Roscoe The Soul of Central Africa, A General Account of The Mackie Ethnological Expedition, London 1922. Balfour Library Reference : Africa 8 Also: Roscoe The Northern Bantu, Cambridge 1915. Balfour Library Africa 8

Search terms: Music, Status, Dance, Ritual and Ceremonial, Musical Instrument, Status Object, Dance Accessory, Ceremonial Object, Trumpet