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Native American Rattles
The Native American rattles play an integral part in the music of these people.
Drums and rattles are the chief percussion instruments used by the Native
Americans. These rattles are made from a variety of materials and also come
in different shapes and sizes. Ceremonial Native American rattles are meant
solely for use during special occasions. Some of the Native American rattles
are exclusive to the different tribes. For instance, the Chemehuevi gourd
rattle is made by the Chemehuevi people. As its name suggests, it is made
from a gourd. Gourd rattles are always shaken by the dancer or singer and
never worn.
The gourd is first dried, before being prepared and decorated as per tribal
preferences. This kind of rattle usually has designs painted on it along
with a painted handle. The handles could be made of branches of trees such
as poplar, oak, rose, or redwood. Feathers used on it could be dyed and
are usually peacock feathers or pheasant feathers. The seeds inside
the gourd rattles give them a unique sound. Sometimes stones or crystals
are added to give other kinds of sounds. A gourd rattle can cost anything
upwards of $100. But there are simple ways in which you can craft Native
American rattles right at home from the materials you might find scattered
around.
The materials needed can be as simple as an appropriate twig, a ball
of yarn, beads, feathers and other such things. Other Native American rattles
are made of bone or the shells of turtles. However, bone rattles are made
of horns cut to a specific size. The rattle could also be made with the bone
left as is except for a hole at the end where a stick can be inserted to
serve as a handle. With changing times, the tribes have also adopted newer
materials for making their rattles. Metal rattles are now commonly found
everywhere.
Joseph Paige © 2006
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