African Mbiu Horn Instrument

Crafted from a hollowed buffalo horn, this graceful object is a side-blown instrument known as a mbiu, used within Swahili-speaking groups of east Africa. Unlike the ornate siwa horns held by chiefs or kings, often of lavishly carved ivory, the mbiu is typically used by a messenger to signal an imminent public announcement and draw the attention of a crowd. This straightforward purpose means the horn is simply carved as a single-pitch instrument, with an emphasis on a clear and consistent sound. We've elevated this horn on a custom steel stand to present it as a sculptural object with clean lines and a beautifully aged texture.