Northern Ghana
Frafra

Wood
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 5 inches
Aerophone – Edge-blown – Flute/Whistle

The Frafra, located in northern Ghana, belong to the larger population group of the Gurunsi and are comprised mainly of farmers. The Frafra excel at lovely smaller pieces of art, like this beautiful flute. This instruments has acquired an exquisite patina from long use. It is pierced at the bottom and worn around the neck. It is carved in a rather simple phallic-form.

Unlike drummers or balafon players whose instrument was the preserve of their caste, flutes could be played by any man in the clan. Usually they were played by the elders, solo, or in a group of players made up of insiders.

Some forms of flutes will indicate the context in which they were played. For example, in the Bwa, Samo, Dafing, 3-hole flutes will announce the beginnings and ends of wrestling matches.

In the Frafra, Bwa, Nuna where flutes with phallic shapes are produced, they are used in fertility rites.