126 BULLETIN 134, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



O. T. Mason, referring to this instrument, says: " In one case we 

 have a musical instrument imported by negro slaves given to the 

 Indians with its native African name and abandoned by the negroes 

 themselves." 



A five note bone flute, " kala," (Tule), is made by the Tule from 

 the wing bone (ulna) of a pelican, "korki," (Tule), (Cat. No. 

 427398, U.S.N.M., pi. 33). The instrument is 20.5 cm. (8.1 in.) in 

 length and consists of nothing more than a hollowed long bone into 

 which have been burned four finger holes placed equidistant along 

 the flat top surface of the bone at its basal end, which is closed with 

 cement. The flute is end blown, as are all of the Tule flutes. The 

 orifice at the operating end is partially stopped with a black cement 

 resembling beeswax, leaving only a small opening for the air current 

 from the mouth of the operator. A rectangular incision is cut into 

 the flat lateral surface side in line with the finger holes, one centi- 

 meter from the orifice at the mouthpiece or operating end. The air 

 current from the operator's mouth impinges on its edges and sets 

 into motion the sound vibrations. 



A conventional ornamental design consisting of transversely 

 crossed diagonal lines is incised into the lateral surface of the bone 

 in line with the four finger holes or vents. 



Necklaces composed of 16 bone flute pendants strung on a beaded 

 cord suspended about the neck are numerous along the Caribbean 

 slope in southeastern Panama. In method of construction, orna- 

 mentation of lateral walls, and mode of operation the flutes, " kala " 

 (Tule), are identical with the bone flute just described. The pend- 

 ent flutes (Cat. No. 327396, U.S.N.M., pi. 33) are suspended from 

 the cord necklace at their head or operating end. A hole is drilled 

 through the bone in transverse diameter, and a cord is drawn 

 through the partially stopped orifice, being embedded in the cement 

 stopper. This process is continued until each of the 16 bone flutes 

 has been strung on the necklace as pendants. 



Vocal music. — Musicians among the Tule are ordinarily men. 

 This is especially true in regard to vocal music. The singers of 

 songs are usually trained professional men who enjoy a certain pres- 

 tige because of their training in the traditional tribal songs. Women 

 may play on the pipes for their own amusement and possess special 

 musical rattles, but on social occasions the flutes and the pan's pipes 

 are played by the young men.» The more special and ceremonial 

 use of music, especially vocal music, is intimately bound up with 

 religion, magic, the healing arts, and many of the food-getting and 

 social activities. A musical hand rattle is employed to accompany 

 the songs sung to insure success in the growing of crops and at the 

 harvest, but it is too noisy to employ in curing a fever. 



