Drone pipe

Museum number:
11-39684
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21110039684
Accession number:
Acc.2431
Description:
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).
Donor:
W. Sprott Boyd
Collection place:
Queensland, Australia
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Drone pipes
Function:
5.4 Secular and Religious Musical Instruments
Accession date:
1968
Department:
Oceania
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 2 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).Hearst Museum object 2 of 2 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).

Tools