Cameroon

Bamileke

Wood, copper, twine
ca. Early-Mid 20th century
Height: 13.5 inches; Width: 1.25 inches
Aerophone – Edge-blown – Flute/Whistle

This instrument may have been used for initiation rites, as the two faces (janus) may represent the differences in the old path versus the new path once completing their initiation.  It  is carved from wood with patina and features two janus heads at the bottom of the handle. The overall shape is anthropomorphic. It is also decorated with wrapped and hand-hammered copper wire. There is one large carved blow-hole at the top (shown upside down in this picture) and two finger holes on the sides in the small protruding sections for altering the pitch of the flute. A fiber rope is strung through the instrument near the heads for hanging, thus the flute hangs upside down when worn around the neck.