Bullroarer

What it is

The bullroarer is a simple yet powerful musical device found across the globe. It consists of a flat piece of wood or other material attached to a long cord. When swung in a circle, the air moving over the slat creates a loud, vibrating roar. This sound can travel for miles, making it useful for communication. Many cultures view the noise not just as music, but as a spiritual force capable of driving away bad influences or connecting with the divine world.

Where it comes from

Archaeological evidence places the bullroarer in the Paleolithic period. Examples dating back to 18,000 BC have been discovered in Ukraine. Its use spans thousands of years and continents, appearing in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The name turndun comes from an Australian Aboriginal language, reflecting its deep roots in Indigenous traditions there. In Ancient Greece, it was known as a rhombos, describing both its shape and its rumbling sound.

How it is done

To operate the device, one gives the cord a slight twist before swinging the slat in a large horizontal or vertical circle. Centrifugal force keeps the slat spinning as the cord winds and unwinds. The operator can change the pitch and volume by altering the speed, the size of the circle, or the length of the cord. By adjusting these factors, users could send coded messages over long distances or produce specific tonal effects for rituals.

Tools and materials

The primary tool is a thin slat of wood, typically between 15 and 60 centimeters long. Some versions include serrations along the edge to modify the sound. Materials vary by region: Māori used wood, stone, or bone; Native Hawaiians used coconut shells and kamani nuts; and Arctic peoples used bone or wood with braided sinew. The choice of material often carries spiritual significance, such as using wood from a tree believed to hold a specific spirit.

What it is for

People use the bullroarer for protection, communication, and spiritual connection. In many Indigenous Australian groups, it wards off evil spirits during initiation rites and burials. Among the Dogon of Mali, its sound represents the voice of an ancestor. In Scandinavia, it was sometimes called a thunder-spell to protect against lightning. Shamans in the Amazon basin use it to heal or call for rain, while North American tribes employed it in religious ceremonies and as toys.

Who does it

In many cultures, the bullroarer is restricted to initiated men. Among Australian Aboriginal groups, it is considered secret men's business, and women or uninitiated individuals are forbidden from hearing it. Breaching this secrecy was historically punishable by death. In contrast, in Great Britain and Ireland, it became a common toy for amusement. In Polynesia, both men and women may use different sizes of the instrument for healing or weather magic.

Peoples and places

The bullroarer is widespread but varies significantly by culture. Australian Aboriginal people use it for sacred ceremonies and long-distance signaling. The Dogon of Mali use it to announce the sixty-year Sigui festival. Māori and Native Hawaiians have distinct names and materials for their versions. In North America, tribes like the Iñupiat and Pomo used it for thunder imitation and healing. In Ancient Greece, it was central to the cult of Cybele and Dionysian mysteries.

What people believe

Many cultures believe the sound has supernatural power. It is often heard as the voice of spirits, ancestors, or natural forces like thunder or the Rainbow Serpent. In southeastern Australia, the sound is linked to Daramulan. The Dogon hear their ancestral voice in it. In Scotland, it was thought to invoke protective spirits against lightning. The noise is not merely acoustic; it is a bridge to the unseen world, commanding respect and fear.

When it is done

Usage depends on the cultural context. In Mali, it marks the start of the Sigui festival, held every sixty years. In Australia, it is used during male initiation ceremonies and funerals. In Greece, it appeared in mystery cults. For some groups, it is part of daily life or play, while others reserve it for specific crisis moments or seasonal events. The timing reinforces its role as a marker of important social or spiritual transitions.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists document the bullroarer as a global phenomenon with deep historical roots. Experts like Michael Boyd note its presence across all inhabited continents. Scholars study its aerodynamic properties and its role in early human communication. Historians examine its use in ancient Greek rituals and its evolution into a children's toy in Europe. Researchers also analyze the strict gender restrictions in Indigenous Australian societies to understand social structure and secrecy.

Compare and confuse

The bullroarer is sometimes confused with buzzers or whirligigs, which are simpler toys. However, the bullroarer has a specific ritual and communicative function. It differs from drums or rattles, which rely on percussion. Instead, it uses aerophones principles. While similar devices exist globally, each culture adapts the materials and meanings. For example, the Greek rhombos shares the name with a buzzing drum, showing how terminology can overlap across different instruments.

Questions people ask about Bullroarer

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Bullroarer on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data