Flute

Flute

New Zealand, Pacific Ocean

Wood

L8.0, D3.0 cm

Donated by William Bragge 1869
Ethno Oc.5369

A drawing by an artist on Captain James Cook's first Pacific voyage indicates that this Maori flute was collected during the 1769-1770 exploration of New Zealand by HMS Endeavour. It has four playing holes and a small loop for a suspension cord. This type of flute is played by blowing either through the mouth or through the nose at the curved end: playing by the mouth produces a resonant sound, while playing by the nose gives a softer, sobbing effect. Historically, flute music and chanted poems helped to soothe the pain of tattooing. Musical instruments were seen to control and celebrate the air or breath (te ha) which, in the ancient Maori world, was considered to be the essence of life.