Object class: Drone pipes / Function: 5.4 Secular and Religious Musical Instruments - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Object class Drone pipes Function 5.4 Secular and Religious Musical Instruments

Hearst Museum object titled Didgeridoo or drone pipe, accession number 11-2092, described as Drone pipe (didgeridoo); eucalyptus limb hollowed by termites; ochre-painted ground with white cross-hatching. Sacred music instrument.

Hearst Museum object titled Drone pipe, accession number 11-39684, described as Drone pipe; eucalyptus branch hollowed by termites, painted with red ochre and designs of white pigment; wax at one end to permit shaping to player’s mouth; collector says “It is used in ceremonial dances and songs. A large type of this musical instrument is used as symbol of the Great Snake who is the “Great Father of the People”. The booming sound made by it is supposed to be thunder. Thunder being the voice of the lightning which is again the Head of the Great Snake (i.e., large carpet snake).