New Zealand
Maori  People

Wood, shell
ca. 1980s
Length:  5.5 in; Diameter: 2.5 in
Aerophone – Wind Instrument Proper – Edge-Blown Flute

The nguru is a small semi-closed nose flute unique to the Maori.   This nguru is made from the very hard maire wood and shows high relief with incised decorative motifs.  The kokako carved on this nguru, depicts the kokako bird in human form with his wings down.  Some may view it as a tiki design of an ancestral figure often carved for good luck.  There are three finger holes bordered with haliotis shell rings along with two inlayed shell eyes.  It is played using one nostril blowing through the upper opening and is known for its haunting sound.

Through a special request, this nguru was made by New Zealand Maori master carver Brian Flintoff.  He is author of “Taonga Puoro: Singing Treasurers” and is a celebrated New Zealand carver featured in Donn Salt’s book “Stone, Bone and Jade.”

Resource: “Nguru,” Mervyn McLean / Teurikore Biddle. ‘Groves Dictionary of Musical Instruments.’ 2nd ed., Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press. Vol 3, pg 595.