The Donkey JawDownload the May 2010 Issue of The Donkey Jaw
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Why "Donkey Jaw?"The first and probably most striking appearance of a donkey jaw in history was when Sampson slew a thousand Philistines using one as his weapon. The donkey jaw has remained a symbol of power ever since. The actual jaws from donkey skeletons have been used as musical instruments in South America, especially Peru, since antiquity. The first use, like bagpipes, most likely was to strike terror into the hearts of enemies in battle. When struck, the teeth — which are still affixed in the jaw bone — produce a distinct rattling sound, which is so pupular in music that an instrument, the quijada, has been designed to mimic the sound. Jaw (noun) — Impudent argument or expression of opposition, backtalk. “Don’t give me any jaw;” (verb, intransitive) — To talk vociferously; (verb, transitive) — Persuade by talking. |
