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Rattle (Shekere)

Hemba (Male) Rattle

Democratic Republic of Congo
Hemba

Gourd, wood, Dried Seeds
Mid-20th century

Height: 31cm / Length: 5cm / Width: 5cm
Idiophone - Struck Indirectly - Shaken

Ceremonial rattles such as this Diviner Rattle were found among the Luba, Songye, Hemba and related ethnic groups. The hand carved wooden handle is in the form of a standing man. The cross hairdo, that can be seen from the back, symbolizes the four directions of the universe and meeting place of spirits. Dried seeds inside the gourd produce a rattle sound. Luba and Hemba rattles first appeared in publications in 1975.

 

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Catalog#: AF-IDST-189-23