Courting Flute - Image 1

The courting flute is an end-blown wind instrument that is traditionally played by men during courting rituals. Unique to the North American Indians, external duct flutes direct the exiting air stream over a voicing edge, in this case located below a stylized snake bound to the instrument with twine. This example is hand-carved from a split branch that was hollowed out and assembled using twine wrappings. There are six finger holes on the front of this flute (no fingerholes on the back).