Australian Aboriginal People Aerophone (Bullroarer): "Burliwarni"
Collection: Spiritual Connections
Object Category: Music and Noisemakers
Object Type: Wind Instruments
Country: Australia
Continent: Oceania
Geographic Region: Australia and New Zealand
Materials: Wood, String/Cord
width: 3 in;
height: 9.5 in;
depth: .25 in
This "burliwarni", or bullroarer, is known as the "voice of God" to the Australian Aborigine. The burliwarni is given to the males of a clan at naming ceremonies or other auspicious occasions. They display sacred symbols and are sounded to warn the uninitiated that the symbols are being shown.
The burliwarni is also used to send animals into ambush. It alerts one tribe of another's presence. It is also used in rainmaking ceremonies.
The player swings the burliwarni lasso style over his head, causing it to spin and make a humming sound.
The bullroarer can also be called 'Ngurrarngay' and 'Muypak'.
Source:
http://9waysmysteryschool.tripod.com/sacredsoundtools/id9.html