Natural Trumpet (Towel), Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, 19th Century Click on images below to see larger images NMM 1480. Natural trumpet (towel), Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, 19th century. Side-blown natural trumpet made of taun wood with a human head carved at the top. Embouchure hole surrounded by vertical rows of carved, curvilinear designs. Most trumpets throughout New Guinea function as signaling instruments and only produce one note. They were traditionally sounded to announce an approaching raiding or head-hunting party. In some areas, they may also be played in ensembles. Length: 44 cm (17.3"). Board of Trustees, 1976. Head, Embouchure Hole, and Carved Ornamentation Go to Annotated Checklist of Musical Instruments From Oceania on Display at the NMM National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD   57069 ©National Music Museum, 2008 Most recent update:   September 19, 2008 You are the 255th visitor to this page since September 18, 2008. The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page