quena
[Aymara]
A South American folk instrument from the Andes mountains (Bolivia and Peru). Similar to a flute, it is made out of cane, 25 to 50 cm. long with five or six finger holes and a thumb hole. A notch in the upper rim allows the performer to blow across the sharp edge to create the sound. It is commonly heard as a solo instrument and in ensembles. Pre-Columbian versions have been found dating back to 900 B.C. and were made of bone and clay.
