The Bullroarer Atlas

MUS2026-120 - museum specimen

Baniwa

Brazil - Lower Rio Içana, Santana, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas - South America - Northwest Amazonia

Function not recorded

Baniwa bullroarer of carved wood and cordage from the Lower Rio Içana, Amazonas, Brazil — National Museum of the American Indian 16/4242.
Baniwa bullroarer of carved wood and cordage from the Lower Rio Içana, Amazonas, Brazil — National Museum of the American Indian 16/4242. National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (16/4242) Image source

Source term: bullroarer

The Baniwa ceremonial year followed the Içana itself. Pudali feasts answered ripening forest fruit and the great fish runs, drawing river communities together in food, drink, music, and dance. Two complete bullroarer rigs survive from Santana on the lower river, each joining a small carved blade to a long wooden handle by cord. Their particular occasion was not recorded.

Object
Two complete wood-and-cordage bullroarer rigs from Santana on the lower Río Içana, each with a small carved blade, cord, and long wooden handle; NMAI 16/4242 and 16/4489.
Function
Use not recorded.
Map confidence
medium - Lower Rio Içana river-reach anchor
Source location
NMAI 16/4242 and 16/4489

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