Our Treasures: Bullroarer donated anonymously to Whangārei Museum represents one of earliest musical instrument forms

The bullroarer donated anonymously to the Whangarei Museum.

Virtually every week, the Whangārei Museum at Kiwi North receives donation offers from a variety of sources, such as clubs and organisations, schools, local businesses or other museums, but most are received from individuals.

The miscellany of donations proffered arrive by various means and on occasion items are just left or abandoned, sometimes with a brief note, either in the Clarke Homestead, in the foyer or outside the museum.

One such deposit was relinquished by an unknown donor who wished to remain anonymous. The wooden object appeared to have Aboriginal connections but did not give the impression of being historic, appearing more recent in origin.

Identified as a bullroarer, these instruments are commonly of wood, bone or ivory construction. Alternatively known as a rhombos or turndun, these free aerophones were generally formed in a thin flat elliptical shape with string attached, producing a roaring sound when whirled above the head.

During rotation the bullroarer vibrates the air around it, thus generating a distinct sound that is capable of transmitting over extended distances. The pitch is determined by the speed with which it is whirled and the sound quality produced made these prehistoric devices suitable for communicating, being clearly audible for several miles.

Although the bullroarer is an ancient mechanism, it has been used in many cultures throughout history since the stone age. Today, the bullroarer is associated mainly with the Aboriginal people of Australia. Nevertheless, evidence of its use can be seen in other cultures, such as the ancient Greeks, Celts and Māori.

Historically used for communicating over long distances, age-old cultures alternatively used it as a musical instrument during ceremonial rituals and traditions or for magical purposes.

One of the oldest known examples of a bullroarer was found in Ukraine, dating back to about 18,000 BC. Archaeologists have also uncovered ancient bullroarers in caves in the Dordogne region of France, Asia, Africa and Australia. Palaeolithic tombs suggest one of the earliest and longest-surviving artefacts that can be called a "musical instrument" is the bullroarer.

Amongst Aborigines, this primitive instrument was used at initiation and other ritual ceremonies, in burials to ward off evil spirits and against bad omens. It was held in sacred veneration by Aboriginal people and like in ancient Greece, the bullroarer was used only by men. Women were traditionally prohibited from using, touching, or even seeing a bullroarer.

In contrast, Māori today commonly use the bullroarer for musical purposes. This wind instrument, known as the pūrerehua, is named from the similarity between the sound made by the instrument and the wings of a flying moth.

The pūrerehua was historically used during healing rituals, lamentation or for the purpose of rain calling to promote crops as well as driving moko (lizards) out of hiding. Additionally, Māori believe the instrument allows them to channel their spirits into other worlds, thus the pūrerehua serves as a device to communicate with other realms.

Although the Aboriginal bullroarer at Whangārei Museum, most likely made in Queensland and crafted for the tourist trade, is not an ancient specimen it still provides an insight into how the bullroarer crosses cultures, purposes, time and space.

• Natalie Brookland is collection registrar, Whangārei Museum at Kiwi North.