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Whistle
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Carved out of ivory or wood in a variety of shapes, Chokwe whistles often bear miniature, stylized renderings of masks. Cikunza, the "patron saint" of the boys' initiation into manhood, is depicted with a pointed extension imitating the horn of a road antelope, symbolizing the fertility spirit. Typically such whistles were used by men during the hunt to communicate with their co-hunters and to call their dogs. They were either worn attached to a string as a necklace or tied to a spear.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Chokwe-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1800s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, Chokwe-style maker |
| Medium | Probably hippopotamus ivory |
| Dimensions | Overall: 5.7 x 3.2 cm (2 1/4 x 1 1/4 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Musical Instrument |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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