Cleveland Museum of Art · late 1800s
Whistle (kasengosengo)
Carved out of ivory or wood in a variety of shapes, Chokwe whistles often bear miniature, stylized renderings of masks. Cikunza, the "patron saint" of the boys' initiation into manhood, is depicted with a pointed extension imitating the horn of a road antelope, symbolizing the fertility spirit. Typically such whistles were used by men during the hunt to communicate with their co-hunters and to call their dogs. They were either worn attached to a string as a necklace or tied to a spear.
| Date | late 1800s |
|---|---|
| Culture / origin | Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo or Angola, Chokwe people, late 19th century |
| Materials | Wood |
| Dimensions | Overall: 8.9 x 3.8 cm (3 1/2 x 1 1/2 in.) |
| Credit | Educational Purchase Fund |
