Summary

Carved wooden stoppers are essential to the performance of long side-blown bamboo flutes, known in Iatmul as 'wabi kain' or 'kain' in song cycles known as 'sagi'. They are made in pairs, each pitched at the same note but one octave apart. Each clan has its own pair of flutes which have personal names and represents the ancestors. This flute stopper is heavily encrusted in soot. It is in the shape of a bird, possibly the Great White Heron (Ardea albus).

Physical Description

This carving is a flute stopper. It takes the shape or a bird, and is heavily encrusted with soot.

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