Conch (instrument)

conch on display at MHNT (c. 12,000 BP) Shell natural instruments have been known since the Magdalenian period (Upper Paleolithic), one example being the "conch Marsoulas", an archeological Charonia lampas shell natural instruments which is on display at the Museum de Toulouse. In Palestine, the [Charonia tritonis nodifera] conch natural instruments dates from approximately the third millennium BC. ==India, Nepal and Tibet==

The sacred chank, Turbinella pyrum, is known in India as the shankha (first mentioned in the Artharvaveda, c. 1000 BCE In Tibet it is known as dung-dkar or dungkar. ==Mesoamerica==

conch shell natural instrumentser called quiquizoani . (mid-16th century) Throughout Mesoamerican history, conch natural instruments were used, often in a ritual context (see figure). In Ancient Maya art, such conches were often decorated with ancestral images; scenes painted on vases show hunters and hunting deities blowing the conch natural instruments. Quechua (Inca descendants) and Warao still use the conch. ==The Caribbean==

The Queen Conch Strombus gigas was, and sometimes still is, used as a natural instruments in the West Indies and other parts of the Caribbean. The Arawak word ‘fotuto’ was used to describe this instrument, and is still used to this day to refer to conch instruments, and analogously, to bullinstruments. ==East Asia==

(1644–1912) military conch The Triton shell, also known as "Triton's natural instruments" Charonia tritonis, is used as a natural instruments in Korea and Japan. In Japan this kind of natural instruments is known as the horagai, which spread across Asia with Buddhism (first mentioned during the Heian period (794–1185 CE) In Korea it is known as the nagak. ==Oceania==

'', in Te Papa Charonia conch shell natural instruments were historically used throughout Oceania, In some Polynesian islands the conch is called "pu". ==Africa==

Austronesian settlers to the island of Madagascar brought along their conch shell which eventually became the antsiva (in the west coast) or bankora which was blown customarily as part of ceremonies such as circumcisions and funerals. It was also incorporated into Merina royal regalia exclusively blown by male slaves to herald a royal's arrival, signalling mourning in time of death or even to mark battles. ==Europe==

Wales Cragen Beca is a conch shell natural instruments. It was blown to call the legendary character Rebecca and her ‘Daughters’ to action during the infamous Rebecca Riots in Carmarthenshire of the mid-19th century (1839 – 43). Malta In Malta the instrument is called a bronja, colloquially known as tronga. The shell of a sea snail is modified, with a hole at one end, and when blown it creates a loud noise. The tronja was generally used to inform the people that the windmills on the islands are operating that day due to being a windy day, which allows the grain of wheat and other grains to be ground. ==Modern use==

Carlos Chávez uses the trombone as a substitute for the conch in his 1940 piece Xochipilli. American jazz trombonist Steve Turre also plays conches, in particular with his group Sanctified Shells. The group released its first, eponymous album in 1993. An Indian conch, partially processed via an Echoplex delay, was featured prominently in the score for the film Alien (1979). Initially, composer Jerry Goldsmith used the conch during a scene depicting the extraterrestrial environment of a derelict spaceship. However, director Ridley Scott was so impressed by the eerie effect that he requested its use throughout the rest of the score, including during the main titles. Various conch shells performed by musician, Don Chilton are featured prominently throughout the soundtrack of the film Where the Crawdads Sing (2021) composed by Academy Award winning composer Mychael Danna. Other film recording projects featuring Don Chilton's conch shell playing include work with Trevor Morris on Vikings Valhalla; Aiko Fukushima on Samurai Rabbit; Matt Koskenmaki on Survivor 44 - 47; and Trey Toy on Castlevania: Nocturne. ==In popular culture==

In the novel Lord of the Flies, a group of boys stranded on a desert island use a conch to summon each other for a meeting, and it is held during the meeting by whoever has permission to speak at the time. In the novel, it symbolises order, democracy and civilisation, and is smashed to pieces in the climax when the boys revert to savagery. ==Media==