Collections of the RMCA : Musical Instruments

The organological collection at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren currently comprises more than 8,000 musical instruments, three-quarters of which are from Central Africa, the Congo in particular. These harps, drums and slit drums, lamellophones, bells, flutes, whistles and other wind instruments were collected as from the late 19th century, which means that some items are now more than a hundred years old. So these instruments are also examples of the rich, centuries-old culture of the African continent. In this publication we open the doors to the reserves and showcases at the RMCA so that, although you cannot hear them being played, you can nevertheless wonder at the beauty and variety of these superbly crafted instruments.