Bamboo Flutes

Flutes (suli owose) made from bamboo and PVC pipe

Suli, or flutes, are traditionally made from slender bamboo. Today some people make flutes from PVC pipe.

Flutes are made in two sizes. Suli owose ('big flutes') are around eighteen to twenty inches long. Suli ikidi ('small flutes') are only about thirteen or fourteen inches long and have a higher pitch. In English they can be called fifes. We play flutes and fifes together with drums in the processions which accompany a groom on his way to his bride's house.

You may use the media links below to listen to short samples of flute and fife music.

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