Rattle

Makah Dance Rattle

Washington State
Northwest Coastal

Cedar
Mid 20th Century

Height: 11 inches; Diameter: 3.5 inches

Handcrafted Makah Indian dance rattle from the North Olympic Peninsula, in Washington State. This is the tribe that made world wide headlines when they resumed their whale hunting in 2000. Rattles are done so to represent something from the sea or wildlife. I do believe this one represents the whale, for when you turn it right side up you can see what appears to be a whale's tail on each side that is very uniquely hand carved and colored with The Makah Indian Nations' chosen colors (green, red, and black) through out. A hole (1.5 inches in diameter)is made in the bottom and it is filled with dried corn or pebbles and then two hand whittled half circles are joined together to make the handle when it is pounded into the hole.

Owner:
Catalog#: HWMC

© Hartenberger World Music Collection