Flute – Wood – Bwa- Burkina Faso

Old Bwa flute from Burkina Faso.

Flutes were used across sub-Saharan Africa in as many different ways as their forms were varied: individually or in groups, e.g. as a signalling instrument, as a means of communication, for entertainment or ritually at initiations, weddings, births and funerals. In addition, they were status symbols, worn as jewellery and were an outward sign of the owner’s affiliation.

Provenance: former private collection from Germany.