BULL-ROARER

pseudomusical instrument, commonly a flat piece of wood, a few inches to a foot in length, fastened at one end to a string. When swung around in the air, it sets up sound waves, thus producing a whirring or howling sound likened to those of animals or spirits. Because the sound waves occur in unenclosed air (as opposed to an air column in a pipe), the bull-roarer is classified as a free aerophone. Its pitch is controlled by its speed. Though now used by Europeans as a toy, among many ancient or primitive peoples it had the highest mystic and religious significance. As the rhombos, it was used in the ancient Greek Dionysian mysteries. It has been observed in Australia, North and South America, and other areas where primitive societies survive. It may symbolize totemic ancestors, cause or drive away sickness, warn women and children to stay away from men's sacred ceremonies, control the weather, and promote fertility of game animals and crops.