Kena
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The Kena is a notched flute from South America. Kenas have been played there since antiquity. Modern kenas are usually made of cane, but earlier versions were made from human or animal bones, clay, hollowed-out gourds, and even silver or gold. It can be used as a solo instrument or, with a second kena and drums to accompany dancing.
| Family |
| Woodwinds |
| Pitch range |
| Two octaves. |
| Material |
| Cane. |
| Size |
| Varies from 10-20 in (25-50 cm) : this example is 14 in (36 cm). |
| Origins |
| The earliest bone examples of kenas were discovered in the area now occupied by Peru around 900 B.C. Today, cane kenas are played in many parts of the Andean region of South America. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| Kenas are often played unaccompanied, traditionally by men. They are also played in pairs with a drum to accompany regional dances, such as the waynos. |
