Koovi - bamboo flutes
Koovi (Nasioi) is a bamboo musical instrument made by men to their own secret arrangement of lengths of pipe. The notes made on an instrument remain the private intellectual property of each musician. A group of musicians may choose to cover different octaves and the varying sizes and arrangements can make the music complete. After a singsing and feasting, the pipes are broken in a dramatic act, signalling that the performance is complete. This is also to ensure that no-one can imitate the uniqueness of what has transpired.
Josephine Tankunani Sirivi
Panflute (Nasioi ), Bougainville Island, acquired by the Australian Museum fin 1963 from Rev GJ Stewart. Length 24.5cm, width 10.5cm. Urisu, Panflute, Amio Village, Siwaii District, Bougainville Island, acquired by the Australian Museum from Rev AH Voyce. Length 40cm, diameter 5.4cm. Panflute, Bougainville Island, acquired by the Australian Museum in 1922 from J Denham. Length 39.5cm, width 9cm. Photo: C Bento.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
