Museu Afora: Mjemboerose

Throughout history, music and dance have manifested themselves as a form of communication, overcoming language barriers and connecting humanity on a universal level. In Namibia’s the particular case, there are a multitude of styles of music and dance, making instruments crucial to each occasion. The mjemboerose appears among the semi-nomadic populations of OvaHimba sheep herders of the Herero group as the main instrument of their ceremonies. It is a musical wind instrument – an aerophone – made from the spiral horn of the kudu, a large antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), is musically adapted with a resonator greased with beeswax. This piece is part of our Science and Technology Conservation Unit.