Cow horn, hickory tree wood, dried corn

Rattle

Seneca Cow Horn Rattles

Northeastern Region
Northeast

Cow horn, hickory tree wood, dried corn
ca. Late 19th - Early 20th century

These two cow horn rattles called "Ga-Non-Gah Gasda-We-Saare," are of the late reservation period. Rattles of many sizes were made from cow horns that were scraped thin, filled with hard corn, seeds or tiny pebbles, and had a hickory wooden handle inserted. These cow horn rattles were used as a companion to the water drum. Prior to the the European introduction of the cow, turtle shells, hemp bark, and gourds were used to produce rattles. Today these rattles are still used for both social and ceremonial songs of the Iroquois people.

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Catalog#: HWMC