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Whistling VesselDouble Chamber Water Flute (Bird)Mexico Terra Cotta
This flute is made from terra cotta in the shape of a bird effigy and was painted white. Most recent research reveals that these may be mourning flutes, made and used by mourners during a funeral procession. Water was put into the opened chamber, and when tilted, the water would flush the second chamber and push the air up the neck, causing the air to split at the opening of the mouth of the bird, thus creating a whistling sound. When the flute is tilted back and the hand covers the open chamber, a gurgling sound is heard.
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| © Hartenberger World Music Collection |
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