Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Mangbetu

Ivory
Early 20th Century
Length: 48 cm
Aerophone – Lip Vibrated – Horn

Mangbetu ivory horn/trumpet. In many cultures of Western or Central Africa local rulers and kings were accompanied to receptions, official events, council meetings or war campaigns by horn-playing heralders (trumpeters). In rural areas these heralders played on wooden transverse (oliphants) trumpets/horns, whereas in royal cultures it was a privilege and a status symbol to use ivory ones. This Mangbetu horn/trumpet shows old age and usage tracks.