Flute – Wood – Pende – DR Congo

Traditional wooden whistle from the Pende people of Former Belgian Congo – Good condition

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.