Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)
Gurunsi

Bronze
20th century
Length: 5 inches
Aerophone – Edge-blown – Flute/Whistle

An interesting Gurunsi flute/whistle pendant in the form of a whistle decorated with stylized faces on both sides. – Brass whistles such as this are common among the various peoples of the Western Sudan. They are found in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire. These faces represent the ancestors which presence is required in ceremonies and initiations where such objects are involved. Brass whistles are quite rare and are found in major musical instrument collections and are increasingly difficult to obtain. This Guronsi whistle was also worn as a pendant and were used as ornaments and prestige objects. The Mossi refer to the Guronsi as magicians due to their long resistance to the Mossi rule. In reality, the Mossi cavalry power was mainly destroyed by the tsetse fly, and the Guronsi survived.