Object Name: Trumpet (mulimu)
Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cultural Group: Pere peoples
Materials Used: Wood and metal
Dimensions: H: 106.04 cm (H: 41.7 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Helen and Dr. Robert Kuhn. X86.1919

Pere trumpets, generically called “mulimu,” are associated with the “nsindi” initiation, which is related to the Bwami association among Lega. During the initiation, teachers hold the trumpet and explain its anthropomorphic shape and meanings. Because the meanings are restricted to Pere initiated adults, little specific information about the trumpets appears in the literature.

Source: DjeDje, J. C. (1999). “Turn Up the Volume! A Celebration of African Music”, Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 308