Collection of Drago Muvrin's African objects of art

Svira: --- 
Percussion instrument
Inv. num. 189

Nigeria
pumpkin
h=60 cm

Purpose: musical instrument

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A simple percussion instrument made from dried and hollowed elongated gourd.  It is brought into vibration when the air is pressed through the upper and lower holes with the palm of the hand, while the fingers simultaneously strike the pumpkin.

In Guinea, this type of percussions is mainly played by women, mostly in pairs.  They use pumpkins of different lengths thus producing different low and high tones.   Playing is accompanied by singing.