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Trumpet

Trumpet, 1st Ashanti War, 1824. Known as an Abentia, or short trumpet (Aben singular for trumpet andTia meaning short). Covered in stingray skin. Trumpets would be used to recite prayers, signals, cast ‘sound barrages’ for protection and inform troops of the chief’s name and place of origin. The RUSI catalogue states that this trumpet is from the first Ashanti War, 1824, made of the tusk of an elephant and covered with fish skin. The trophy was held in much veneration by the natives, it was taken at the action of 21st Jan 1824 in which the British Governor, Brig-Gen Sir Charles McCarthy, was killed. His head was secured by the natives as a war trophy.

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  • Repository:National Army Museum