The Siwa is a large, traditional side blown horn from the Swahili Coast.
“Between the 17th and 19th centuries, rulers of city-states on the East African coast used the Siwa as a symbol of authority. The Siwa was a large royal horn made of ivory, metal or wood. Siwa’s belonged to the head of Swahili towns, and only they were the instrument’s sole guardian.
Those who lived in that time believed that the royal regalia held supernatural powers for the reigning monarch. They believed that anyone who heard its sound received blessings, and if anything bad happened to it, then that was a sign of a looming disaster for the ruler.”
- Nasra O. Bwana
