Ecuador
Ecuadorian Folk Culture

Bamboo, fiber string
ca. Mid 20^th century
Length (longest pipe): 8.5 in
Length (shortest pipe): 2.5 in
Width: 10.75 in
Depth: 0.75 in
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes

The ‘Rondodor’, a panpipe of bamboo-like reed canes is considered the national instrument of Ecuador with a rich history dating back to ancient times.   This field collected  rondodor is a single-ranked panpipe with twenty-seven pipes attached with flat strips of bamboo and fiber string.  The underside of the pipes is painted with small notches of black and yellow paint above the top connecting strip of bamboo and below the bottom one, which lies diagonal to the top one. The bottom of each pipe is closed by a natural septum (internodes that divide the reed into segments) and each pipe is cut a few centimeters below the septum.  This way of cutting these pipes varies to a considerable extent among different tribes.  The rondodor is played by blowing across the top of the instrument capable of producing two tones simultaneously and is classified as an edge-blown flute.

The rondodor remains an integral part of Ecuadorian folk music.  It is played during festivals, celebrations, and ceremonial events, reflecting Ecuador’s cultural identity and the rich heritage and traditions of its indigenous people, particularly among the Inca.

Resource: https://organology.net › instrument › rondador