Whistle Item Number: Nb622 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Hollowed, v-shaped cedar whistle; two shafts, each in two pieces, glued together with pitch and bound with cotton lashing. Both are tied together. One has a square hole, the other a round one.
History Of Use
Two tone whistle. Not used as a musical instrument, but in ceremonies by those with the right to use them, used for game calling, used to signal battles or used to punctuate a shaman's chanting. A 'two-voiced' whistle was also blown in the woods to introduce the ceremonial season. The sound produced is said to represent voices of supernatural beings.
Cultural Context
ceremonial
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Charles E. Borden before March 5, 1979
- Received from Charles E. Borden (Donor) on March 5, 1979
What
- Name
- Whistle
- Identification Number
- Nb622
- Type of Item
- whistle
- Material
- cotton fibre, resin and cedar wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, glued and tied
- Overall
- height 18.0 cm, width 8.0 cm, depth 3.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Northwest Coast
- Previous Owner
- Charles E. Borden
- Received from
- Charles E. Borden (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before March 5, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on March 5, 1979
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0515/0021