Whistles were a form of musical instruments
from the New World. They were found in high-
status tombs. This intriguing whistle suggests its
use in rituals and ceremonies. This whistle is in
the shape of a shaman that symbolizes the
spiritual and mythological beliefs of the Costa
Ricans. Perhaps they used this whistle during
hallucinogenic trances to heighten the shaman’s
enlightenment and overall experience.
Therefore, the ceremonies and rituals they used
this instrument in were important to the health
security of the tribe. The artistic depiction of
this shaman is burnished in a brown color. This
figure is highly stylized. The facial features of
the shaman depict him as if he is in a trance.
The eyes are not clearly defined, but the nose
and mouth are rendered with expertise. The
arms loop out and around, and the hands are
placed on his hips. The earlobes have hallowed
out holes that go through the entire head in
order to suspend this object from the neck. The
two legs make the front support of the tripod
while an amphibious tail serves as the third leg
and as the air hole. There is another large hole
in the center of the back that is the blowhole to
this whistle. Musical instruments with symbolic
importance such as this one are a rarity. This
unique piece gives us a glimpse into the culture
of ritualistic, spiritual and domestic activities of
the Costa Ricans.
- (PF.4140)
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