Burkina Faso, Black Volta River region
Mossi

Wood
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 30.5 cm
Aerophone – Edge-blown – Flute/Whistle

Across Burkina Faso flutes/whistles are used during mask dances and for hunting or war. Whistles such as this are played either singularly or in concert with other instruments that might include the long drums, the calabash drums, horns, iron gongs, finger bells, or small bells. The player holds the flute on the lower lip and blows across the blow-hole to produce a pleasant high pitched tone. These flutes are often used by men and boys during ceremonies. In dance masks, the flutes are an integral part of social life, serving to provide musical support to important rites of passage for young and old. Since many African languages are tonal, this flute with its two finger holes, allows the performer to alter and match pitches in close association with the tonal language patterns of the local language.