Bondjo

Unknown

ca. 1915 · Ivory, wood, polychrome · Musical Instruments

This type of side-blown trumpet, produced for various nkumu (leaders), was originally used in battle. Today it is employed to add prestige to such ceremonies as the investiture or marriage of a nkumu, the birth of twins, or the propitiation of hunting and planting spirits. The faceted elephant tusk with a raised diamond-shaped mouthpiece on the concave side is typical of many Congolese trumpets. A flanged wood extension, painted with black-and-white stripes and checks, is similar in shape to the headpieces worn by Ekonda leaders. This form, characteristic of royal motifs at the turn of the century, also appears on special drums and rhythm-keeping stamping sticks.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1915

Medium

Ivory, wood, polychrome

Culture

Ekonda people (Konda)

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Rogers Fund, Roger L. Stevens Family Fund Gift, Gifts of Herbert J. Harris, and Brian and Ann Todes, by exchange, Kay T. Krechmer Bequest, in memory of her husband, Harold H. Krechmer, and funds from various donors, 1992