Makara trumpet

Museum number:
9-22058
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21090022058
Alternate number:
BY.T-105 and T-105 (original number)
Description:
This is a short trumpet used for sacred Buddhist music in rituals. It is similar to the thigh bone trumpet (see: T-26, T-27). Though its sound is similar to the thigh bone trumpet, the makara trumpet is associated with worshipping gods more than summoning demons. The thigh bone trumpet is fashioned from a human thigh bone. It is used extensively in the "Chod" ritual. It functions, when blown in the ritual context by a qualified yogin, to summon demons in particular, and all living beings in general, to a great feast. The use of human bone is necessary as the yogin is ritually transforming his own flesh and blood into offerings suitable for the various classes of living beings. On the other hand, the makara trumpet (the head of the trumpet is in the form of a makara, a wise but formidable sea monster) is used in regular musical offerings to Gods and Lamas. This trumpet is made from copper, with decorative bronze bands and a bronze mouthpiece. It has a beautiful bronze makara head with turquoise eyes.
Collection place:
Tibet
Verbatim coll. place:
Tibet
Collector:
Theos C. Bernard
Materials:
Bronze (metal), Copper (metal), and Turquoise (mineral)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Trumpets (aerophones)
Function:
5.4 Secular and Religious Musical Instruments
Production date:
19th-20th century
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 2 titled Makara trumpet, accession number 9-22058, described as This is a short trumpet used for sacred Buddhist music in rituals. It is similar to the thigh bone trumpet (see: T-26, T-27). Though its sound is similar to the thigh bone trumpet, the makara trumpet is associated with worshipping gods more than summoning demons. The thigh bone trumpet is fashioned from a human thigh bone. It is used extensively in the "Chod" ritual. It functions, when blown in the ritual context by a qualified yogin, to summon demons in particular, and all living beings in general, to a great feast. The use of human bone is necessary as the yogin is ritually transforming his own flesh and blood into offerings suitable for the various classes of living beings. On the other hand, the makara trumpet (the head of the trumpet is in the form of a makara, a wise but formidable sea monster) is used in regular musical offerings to Gods and Lamas. This trumpet is made from copper, with decorative bronze bands and a bronze mouthpiece. It has a beautiful bronze makara head with turquoise eyes.Hearst Museum object 2 of 2 titled Makara trumpet, accession number 9-22058, described as This is a short trumpet used for sacred Buddhist music in rituals. It is similar to the thigh bone trumpet (see: T-26, T-27). Though its sound is similar to the thigh bone trumpet, the makara trumpet is associated with worshipping gods more than summoning demons. The thigh bone trumpet is fashioned from a human thigh bone. It is used extensively in the "Chod" ritual. It functions, when blown in the ritual context by a qualified yogin, to summon demons in particular, and all living beings in general, to a great feast. The use of human bone is necessary as the yogin is ritually transforming his own flesh and blood into offerings suitable for the various classes of living beings. On the other hand, the makara trumpet (the head of the trumpet is in the form of a makara, a wise but formidable sea monster) is used in regular musical offerings to Gods and Lamas. This trumpet is made from copper, with decorative bronze bands and a bronze mouthpiece. It has a beautiful bronze makara head with turquoise eyes.

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