Trumpet "namburuse"
D. R. Congo, Mangbetu
not available anymore
Size
L: ca. 120 cm
L: ca. 47.2 inch
Description
ivory, the corpus of the broad ending was abraded as thin as a piece of cardboard, the bell mouth is 12,5 cm in diameter, the narrow ending remained massive, oval mouthpiece, without any decor, collection number “25854. Abanza Kongo Glatz” at the inside, min. dam., fine cracks through age, slight traces of abrasion;
the ivory trumpet “namburuse” was played in the court and represented royal power and presence. Often trumpeting accompanied the king and his wife when they perfomed a dance called “mabolo”. Trumpets also announced the king’s movements and his victories.