From Mud to
Music
Ocarinas
• Range in size from small to
large, often many holes,
shaped like a sweet potato
Whistling Vessels
• Tones are tuned
to create a
vibration that
triggers an out-ofbody experience
• Often played in a
group with
several other
whistles
Zoomorphic
Whistles
The artisans of ancient America had a great affinity for
the natural world. Combining fanciful charm with a keen
observation of nature, they captured the essence of the
flora and fauna around them. Here, the armadillo
indigenous to Central America is rendered with a few
quick lines and an endearing attitude.
This particular deity appears to be a jaguar
God; though his mouth is open with
protruding tongue, this is most likely a
gesture of benevolent protection, meant to
frighten away evil. Traces of bright blue
pigment still adorn this whistle, blown during
religious festivals. Its rich, melancholy tone
evokes the glories of a fantastic vanished
world.
How Whistles Work
• The vibration that occurs when air flow is interrupted
creates a whistling sound. In the example below, the
air is blown forward, channeled around and back up
and out the hole above. The streams of air crossing
creates the whistling noise.