Deon

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= = = THE CONCH.=

The conch is made of the shell of a large shellfish and is a part of the wind family.

Some conch shells can be used as wind instruments. By cutting a small hole in the spire and then blowing into it like a trumpet.

Conch shells were historically used in the south pacific, Such as Fiji. In resorts in Fiji they blow the shell as a performance for the tourist. The Fijians also used the conch shell when the chief died: the chief’s body would be brought down a special path and the conch would be played until the chief’s body reached the end of the path.

The conch has been used to call workers from the fields or to call solders to war. It is still used at religious festivals.

The conch makes a loud noise which can carry long distances, it’s also known as a shell trumpet. But unlike a trumpet, it can only sound one note.

Sometimes a mouthpiece is used, but some are blown without one.

The sacred chank, Turbinella pyrum is named in India as the shankha. In Tibet “dung-dkar”.

The triton shell, also known as “Triton’s Trumpet” Charonia tritons, is used as a trumpet in Melanesian and Polynesian culture, including Korea and Japan. In Japan it’s called horagai. , In Korea nagak. Also in some Polynesian countries “pu”.

The Conch is a very international instrument. It’s from several countries and has a lot of names.