Instruments

Symbolism | Purpose | Rattle | Drum | Air Instruments

Rattle

One type of rattle is the container rattle, a rounded rattle made of rawhide, filled with pebbles, and attached to a wooden handle. It is 8-12 inches in length with several inches of feathers as a decoration. Among its other uses, the Dog Society, one of the men's age-grade groups, used the container rattle to accompany singing while approaching an enemy.

Another type of rattle is made from buffalo scrotum and decorated, like the container rattle described above, with feathers. It was carried in battle by the Spear Society and thrown at the enemy, which the warriors followed in a charge.

A more recent creation, a rattle made of gourd and filled with glass beads is used only for the Peyote Ceremony. The sound produced is more swishy than the other two.

 

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