Carved Nguru (flute) Parāoa (sperm whale jawbone) by Alex Sands

Whale Bone Nguru Paraoa 

Carved from a sperm whale jawbone

With Whakarei (detailed intricate carving)

10cm x 4cm x 3.5cm

Genuine whale bone - this particular piece cannot be exported due to cities protocols



About Nguru: 

Nguru are unique flutes found only in the traditions of NZ Māori. They are generally made from various types of hard wood or bone.

Nguru are semi enclosed flutes that have wenewene (finger holes).  The end opening is cross blown, which produces a rich and melodic sound. The sound is manipulated in micro tonal shifts rather than jumping from one note to the next. This subtle shift in sound requires a sensitivity that often takes lots of practise to develop well.

Although nguru are most often played with the mouth, they are sometimes called nose flutes as smaller instruments can also be played with the nose by blocking one nostril and blowing across the larger openings of the instrument. In Māori tradition and in many pacific cultures, the breath of the nose is sacred. When nguru are played with the nose, they can produce sounds that are perceived as spirit voices joining together with the sound and the song.

In the past, nguru were often played at times of great sorrow, such as tangihanga (funerary events). Subsequently, they are very important taonga. Nguru made from niho pāraoa are the most highly valued and were only owned by tohunga (priests) or rangatira (chiefs).