Bamboo trumpet (fara-fara)

Fara-fara is a trumpet-like instrument built similarly to the keko, with a distinction being with the mouthpiece and reed. The fara-fara has a bamboo tube body around 1.5m in length and a cone trumpet made out of palm which is attached to the end of the instrument, like with the keko. The mouthpiece is cut diagonally, over which a small leaf-shaped piece of dried palm leaf is inserted to function as the reed, held in place in a slit made in the top of the bamboo tube.

The instrument is played by holding the instrument pointing downwards, and blowing a long extended breath. Strong lungs are needed to blow loudly. The instrument is used to scare away birds from eating rice fields and other crops.

Photo: Americo Marques Cabral playing the fara-fara in aldeia Codo, sub-district Lautem.