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Rattle (Shekere)

Yaka Large Gourd Rattle

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Yaka

Wood, Gourd, Pebbles
ca. Mid-20th century

Height: 11 inches; Gourd diameter: 5 inches
Idiophone - Struck Indirectly - Shaken

Handle is a wood carved Yaka male figure with an elongated head, short body, and hands resting on the abdomen. The gourd is punctured with holes symmetrically. Most art relates to kings and important chiefs, who defined their power by the display of prestigious objects during important ceremonies. Dance rattles such as this all function, with seeds inside the gourd sections, but were also used for display.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-222-25