Ocarina

The ocarina is a wind instrument. It looks a little like a shepherd's flute (floyera), but the floyera has fewer finger holes. Ocarinas are made of metal or terracotta, and also of bone. We cover the holes, some large and some small, with our fingers. It is played like a flute.

Some ocarinas have a cord so they can be hung up. They are egg-shaped. The first ocarinas were made of bone.

The ocarina belongs to a wider family of instruments thought to have existed for more than 12,000 years. Over time many types have been made, the most popular being the transverse ocarina, which usually has 10 or 12 holes.