Chokwe Kasengosengo whistle
Hunting accessory in African art
African anthropomorphic whistle with a lustrous and warm patina. Strictly speaking, it is not a musical instrument, although the sound can be changed with the fingers via the two side tubular holes located on the neck of the pot-bellied whistle, typical of the Chokwe.
This kasengosengo whistle was used to communicate: individuals who had left for the bush were recalled to the village; in the hunt, it was used to call companions in reinforcement as well as to call the dogs.
According to Bastin in Journal of the African Music Society, 1992, vol. 7, n ° 2, p. 24: In war, it was used to encourage men to march into battle, arousing enthusiasm and cries among the warriors.
Renowned for their traditional art, in particular the masks of which I offer you some beautiful specimens on the site, the Chokwe are excellent hunters recognized as such by their neighbors.
They have a society of hunters whose access was governed by an initiation, whose members are called mayanga (sing. Yanga). An experienced hunter is the chief, the tata wa uyanga, father of the hunt. It provides its members with decoctions to ensure the success of the hunt. The particular dance of the hunters consists of shoulder movements performed with a rifle, uta, in the hand.
See attached photos of a Chokwe hunter holding his rifle; a man holding a whistle in his hand;
01591
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 12,5 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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Hunting accessory in African art
African anthropomorphic whistle with a lustrous and warm patina. Strictly speaking, it is not a musical instrument, although the sound can be changed with the fingers via the two side tubular holes located on the neck of the pot-bellied whistle, typical of the Chokwe.
This kasengosengo whistle was used to communicate: individuals who had left for the bush were recalled to the village; in the hunt, it was used to call companions in reinforcement as well as to call the dogs.
According to Bastin in Journal of the African Music Society, 1992, vol. 7, n ° 2, p. 24: In war, it was used to encourage men to march into battle, arousing enthusiasm and cries among the warriors.
Renowned for their traditional art, in particular the masks of which I offer you some beautiful specimens on the site, the Chokwe are excellent hunters recognized as such by their neighbors.
They have a society of hunters whose access was governed by an initiation, whose members are called mayanga (sing. Yanga). An experienced hunter is the chief, the tata wa uyanga, father of the hunt. It provides its members with decoctions to ensure the success of the hunt. The particular dance of the hunters consists of shoulder movements performed with a rifle, uta, in the hand.
See attached photos of a Chokwe hunter holding his rifle; a man holding a whistle in his hand;