MUS2026-249 - museum specimen
Epépé leaf, the eagle's wingbeat
Central African Republic - Lobaye Prefecture - Central Africa
Play / practical
Epépé
Source term: Rhombe
Epépé is both the recorded object name and the tree whose leaf forms the sounding element; ngòliò names the imitated bird.
The sound is a wingbeat, and the wings belong to the monkeys' worst enemy. A leaf of the èpépé tree, fixed to the end of a rod two feet long and swept through the air, reproduces the beat of the bird known there as the monkey eagle — and the monkeys that hear it come within reach of the hunter. One tree lends the instrument its voice and its name; one bird lends it the authority to be believed.
le bruit de l'instrument imite celui des ailes de l'oiseau appelé ‘aigle de singe’ … et est utilisé comme appeau pour les singes
The sound of the instrument imitates the wings of the bird called “monkey eagle” and is used as a lure for monkeys.
Musée du quai Branly — Jacques Chirac, object 275216
- Object
- A leaf of the èpépé tree fixed to the end of a wooden rod; 61 x 15 x 0.5 cm.
- Function
- Used as a monkey lure by imitating the wings of the bird called ngòliò.
- Source
- Musée du quai Branly — Jacques Chirac, object 275216, inv. 71.1995.23.4; leaf and wood; 61 x 15 x 0.5 cm
- Source location
Page references
Musée du quai Branly — Jacques Chirac, object 275216, inv. 71.1995.23.4
- Source confidence
- medium Lobaye Prefecture regional anchor; no community or collection point is recorded.