Matapu - Zunidor (Performance and assemblage, 2015)
In this sound performace work, I use eight “zunidores” from the native Brazilian Mehinaku population. Each “zunidor” (or matapu) is a small curvy board shaped like a fish, colored in red and back and, sporadically, white or yellow. In one of its extremities, there is a hole from where a string goes through. In order to spin the “zunidores”, their strings have to be held. In the performance, each “zunidor” is spun and recorded. When the spinning stops, the instrument is hanged on the wall, creating a circle or a mandala. The very grave sound of the “zunidor” is used during huntings (to occasionally scare the jaguar away). It can also be used to create a sound that represents the voice of the spirits, the voice of thunder or a virile and fertilizing strength. The “zunidores” are also part of rainmaking and fertility rituals.
