TRITON SHELL HORN (TAWI)
A tawi "shell horn" is used by navigators for communication between sailing canoes at sea and when departing from or arriving at an island. Navigators also used the tawi with accompanying chants to protect themselves during a voyage or, if a storm should threaten, to calm the wind and waves. On land, a weather magician would also use one of these instruments to drive dangerous storms away. Several traditional Micronesian stories and myths focus on the value of the tawi as the principle instrument used in weather control.
Urupiy performs a chant for use with a tawi
shell horn
(Images from the documentary,
Spirits
of the Voyage)
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Spirits
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