Livika

The Livika, also known as lunut, lounut, lounot, loanuat, lounuet, and also referred to as lounuat and kulepa ganez, kulepaganeg, is a friction woodblock or a friction idiophone. It is found in the Malanggan cultural region on the island of New Ireland, which is part of Papua New Guinea. Carved from a single wooden block, it features three tongues that produce clear, high-pitched tones when stroked. In the past, this instrument was utilized for religious ceremonies, and featured primarily in the mourning ritual for the deceased, its shrill cries representing either a spiritual voice or bird call.