Clay Whistle Flute

Clay Whistle Flute

Ocarina Whistle Set of two various hand painted clay flutes. Beautifully painted by Porfidio Caquaquin from Cuzco, Peru. These gorgeous flutes come on an individual basis packaged with a story card inside the packaging. Not two ever alike. These make a beauteous gift for a child or any individual who enjoys playing a flute. The ocarina is considered the oldest and most primitive flute in the Americas. Ancient flutes have been found in Andes excavations dating back to 5,300 years ago. Ocarinas play effortlessly and sound like a recorder.

The Maori are the indigenous peoples of New Zealand. Like all cultures, the Maori indicated themselves in artistic ways. The Maori, however, have no word for “art.” The conventional expert, or tohunga, in carving or weaving does not invent a piece of art. They are merely the vessel used by the gods to express them in material form. This meant that all carvings, weavings and other artistic endeavors were charged with spiritual power, or mana. The act of creating a carving or other item was sacred, and a gift of Tangaroa, the sea god.

Carving was and still is a big percentage of Maori culture. Wood was applied to carve flutes, elaborated posts, and war canoes with elaborate carvings, treasure boxes and wall panels. Whale bone and cow bone is used to make flutes and symbolic jewelry. Shells are likewise carved for personal adornment. The symbols portrayed are deep in religious and cultural meaning. The Koru, or spiral, is the symbol of life and rebirth. Tikis are ofttimes carved in personal pieces, on posts and wall panels to represent fertility or protection. They may be worn or displayed on particular occasions.

Carvings of sea creatures and the tails of whales, a very special animal to the Maori, are also common. Another mutual carving subject is Manaia, a figure with a bird’s head. Another is Marakihau, a sea monster who took humane form. Elaborate bone fishhook embellishments were carved to symbolize prosperity, abundance and fertility. Today, new carvers still learn the achievements passed down from generation to generation.

Weaving was a necessitated craft. From the sturdy New Zealand flax plant, the Maori learned to weave cloaks, skirts, baskets, floor mats, and sails. These weavings were dyed and decorated. Some were employed in each day tasks and galore were reserved for sacred use. The weaving of fine cloaks was the pinnacle of women’s arts. They ofttimes combined the flax with dog fur and feathers. Before the moa was extinct, moa feathers were many times employed for decoration. Today’s students still study the weaving traditions. After attending the weaving school, they do not get diplomas. Their diploma is the work that they produce.

The Maori likewise have a lively history of music and dance. Visitors to Rotorua may attend midday concerts that introduce them to the culture. Traditional dances such as the Poi dance, the haka, or war dance and the complex Tititorea (stick games) are performed. The Maori have some distinctive musical instruments, including the putangitangi, or whistling bowl. This is a small, enclosed clay bowl with a little hole at the top. Whistling close to the top hole formulates a mournful echo. The puritorito or spinning wheel is a wooden disk with string threaded through the center. The disk is spun in the center, and then the strings are pulled tight to give rise to a sound like wind blowing through the reeds. The sound waves from this instrument were often employed to loosen phlegm in babies. The koauau or short flute is a hollow flute carved from a flax stem. The end was covered by a finger, and then the musician would whistle into the opening, creating a potpourri of tones.

Clay Whistle Flute Picture

Clay Whistle Flute Pic

Clay Whistle Flute Image

Clay Whistle Flute Photo