Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle shell rattle)

Unknown

19th century · Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather · Musical Instruments

Small turtle shell rattles are frequently used by Native Americans. However, the shells of large snapping turtles were originally used by Seneca and Iroquois singers during the Great Feather Dance and in healing rituals of the False Face Company. Iroquois mythology maintains that the earth rests on the back of a turtle.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather

Culture

Native American (Iroquois)

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889