Burkinabe Leather Whistle or Flute

A short staff with a leather cord, still trailing its string.

Burkina Faso, West Africa, is the origin of this whistle or flute, which was made in wood and leather in the 20th century. Instruments like this are commonly made for signaling, ritual or hunting. A slender dark wooden shaft rises to a small hooked top with a loop, while the lower section is wrapped in leather and tied with long thin cords. The wood is dark, nearly black-brown, with a handled, waxy surface. It stands on a black block.

About nine inches tall. The loose cord gives it a nice bit of drama.