Sound Objects

These objects are used for the sound they give to a wide range of events, from rituals and religion to everyday life and play. National musicology studies them with the same interest shown on musical instruments, as they often lead us to the roots of artistic sound. Sound objects are included.

Vikani or sea shell. It consists of a large shell (Charonia Tritonis) with its nose cut so as to allow the air to pass through and to transmit a hoarse whimper suitable to alert someone to the dark or the fog or to listen to us from a long distance. It is considered the first sonic object that man used as a musical instrument. A trademark of the mythical Triton. It was used by the people who lived near the Sea.

The horn. It has exactly the same use and construction as the Vikani but it is an animal horn. Usually Taurus or cow. It was mainly used by mountain bumps.

Sistron is a small percussion in the shape of a horseshoe attached to a handle and in a number of transverse rods with small bells. It can also be made of snail shells. The motion produced a sound of indeterminate height. It came from Egypt where it was used in ceremonies in honor of Goddess Isis. Reports of Sistron exist in Minoan Crete as well as from Homer in Iliad was also used as a ritual and accompaniment instrument in the Byzantine era was still used as a toy as the paramedics nursed with this infant.