A sound steeped in traditions

The musical instruments of Australia are fascinating for their design, sound, construction and history. One such instrument is the bullroarer.

A simple wooden slat that is around 30-40 cm in length and 5-7 cm in width, this instrument is an important feature of Australian aboriginal ceremonies. Whirled around in a circle on the end of a length of cord, this instrument makes a low-pitched roar.

Used extensively in initiation ceremonies, bullroarers are also believed to ward off evil spirits, hence used during burials, too. Aboriginal tribal groups strongly believe that the sound produced by bullroarers should not be heard by women, children, non-initiated men, and outsiders. In fact, so strong is the belief that bullroarers are considered secret men’s business, and anybody caught defying rules is punished by death!

Digging deep into the history of bullroarers has revealed that it dates to the Paleolithic period, and that it was used for communicating over long distances. The quality of sound produced by this instrument was believed to be suitable for signalling, it is learnt.

However, it is also learnt that bullroarers are not unique to Australia, but are found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, too, though known by different names in different regions.

Though a bullroarer is commonly made of wood, in the ancient times they were made of animal bones too. Though elliptical in shape, there is no hard and fast rule that it should always be elliptical. Regardless of its shape, it produces the same sound as long as it is thin and flat.

Bullroarers are not used in Australian popular music owing to the taboos surrounding them. However, they are used prominently in the popular music of New Zealand, where they are known as purerehua.