Forged from a rare metal found only in Africa and South America, the Afro-horn is an instrument to open the mouths of the gods. It was invented by ancient Egyptians, who called it the Tun-tet. According to Brent Hayes Edwards’ imaginative essay on the mythical instrument, there are only three Afro-horns in the world: one in a museum collection in Europe; another guarded jealously by an indigenous community on the West coast of Mexico; but the third is in New York, in the collection of Rashaan Roland Kirk. Brent Hayes Edwards (Interpreted by Native Maqari) follows the afro-diasporic sonic adventures of Henry Dumas, Sun Ra and Francisco Mora-Catlett, and many others who have braved the middle passage on a quest to find the mythical instrument to open the mouths of the gods.

Afro Horn features in Issue 8 of the Chronic –  The Corpse Exhibition and other Graphic Stories. Out now.