Rattle (Shekere)

Hemba Rattle

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Hemba

Wood, Pod (Gourd)
ca. Mid-20th century

Height: 12 inches
Idiophone - Struck Indirectly - Shaken

An old Hemba rattle from the people of the DRC ~ formerly Zaire.  This nicely carved Hemba rattle with a single calabash (pod) has an old brown-black patina. The Hemba, living northeast of the Luba and once classified as a Luba subgroup, are now recognized as a distinct people. They are known particularly for the large and elegant male figures that represent ancestors. These great sculptures of wood were kept in the houses of clan chiefs as symbols of the dependence of the living upon the dead. Shows signs of usage and age.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-188-25

© Hartenberger World Music Collection