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Flute - Whistle

Sundi Divination Janus Whistle

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Sundi

Wood and antelope horns
ca. Early-Mid 20th century

8 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide

Sundi Divination Janus Whistle made from wood and antelope horns from the 'Vili' sub-group of the DRC (Zaire). This whistle is topped by a finely carved miniaturized couple. The whistles ("Nsiba") were carried by prominent members of the community such as chiefs or healer-diviner and were used in rituals performed to heal the sick or combat witchcraft. The name "nsiba" is a combination of "nsia" (species of antelope known as Silviapa) and the verb "siba" which describes the role or function of these whistles when used by a diviner.

 

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Catalog#: AF-AEBH-36-41