The eagle bone whistle, a sacred religious musical instrument used by Native Americans, is made from the long wing bones of both the American bald eagle, and the American golden eagle for Native American religious ceremonies. Eagle bone whistles are considered extremely powerful spiritual objects by American Indians.
Eagle bone whistles produce a series of high pitched notes which are reminiscent of the cry of an eagle. By varying the airflow and pressure, a wide variety of notes can be produced. These whistles are only used in ceremonies to call the spirits. Eagle bone whistles are often worn with red mescal bean necklaces during peyote ceremonies. They are also carried in buffalo hide pouches specifically made for this purpose.
Read more about Eagle Bone Whistle: Usage, Construction
Famous quotes containing the words eagle, bone and/or whistle:
“Does the Eagle know what is in the pit
Or wilt thou go ask the Mole?
Can wisdom be put in a silver rod,
Or love in a golden bowl?”
—William Blake (1757–1827)
“the bone dry voices of the peepers
as they throb like advertisements.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“Instead of the scream of a fish hawk scaring the fishes, is heard the whistle of the steam-engine, arousing a country to its progress.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)