The yerik is a notched flute with a conical bore used by the Bimoba. It is
approximately 23 to 25 cm long and has a diameter of 4 cm at the top. It is
made from the wood of the tong tree. First the flute is cut out of the wood
with a small adze, then a knife is used to smooth the rough edges, after
which the outside is polished with sandpaper. The bore is made pushing
red-hot awls (one thick, one medium-sized and one very fine) through the
wood. Sometimes the yerik is decorated. The flute has three finger-holes, two
at the sides of the instrument and one underneath. In some cases there is
also a hole on the outside and a rope is threaded through the hole so the
flute can be worn around the neck. Sometimes the top section of the yerik is
covered with snake skin, probably for protection.
The yerik is played to accompany dances such as the kuanta and the
tarkutik. The yerik is played in hoketus figures, one or two flutes
alternating as one musician starts of and plays a number of notes, followed
by the second. The yerik has a fairly open and rounded sound that is
comparable to that of the wua of the Kassena.
The yerik is played in the same way as the yerbik.
© RMCA/Dominik PHYFFEROEN