Whistle

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Culture Kongo

Title Whistle

Date Unknown

Medium Wood, horns, and and glass beads

Dimensions Mount: 1 × 1 3/8 × 1 1/2 in. (2.5 × 3.5 × 3.8 cm)
Object: 6 1/4 × 1 5/8 × 1 1/2 in. (15.9 × 4.1 × 3.8 cm)
Overall (includes mount): 7 1/4 × 1 5/8 × 1 1/2 in. (18.4 × 4.1 × 3.8 cm)

Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 76.136.1

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About this Work

Kongo whistles such as this, made from an antelope horn with a wooden carved figure attached to it, were used by people who were believed to have special abilities for communicating with the non-visible spiritual realm. These included chiefs, initiated men, and especially diviners and ritual specialists known as baganga, who were healers and judges and capable of defending people against those who would use spiritual powers to harm others. The theme of the mother and child, depicted here, is frequently seen in Kongo art, recognition of the Kongo belief that a woman’s most important role was in ensuring the continuation of her clan.

Provenance
More Details

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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"Whistle | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=76.136.1