Tsiitsiito (rattle)

Hiwi Indians

late 19th century · calabash (Crescentia cujete), wood, curassow feathers (pauxi pauxi), seed and wánali stone · Musical Instruments

The Hiwi shaman's rattle is the principal musical instrument used for healing and divination among the Hiwi. It helps the entranced healer to call upon málike and málikai, spirits who may take the form of birds. The rattle’s carefully incised calabash body has small holes at the cardinal points and contains seeds and magical crystals (wánali stones). The handle features curassow feathers which add to the rattle’s power.

Artist

Hiwi Indians

Date

late 19th century

Medium

calabash (Crescentia cujete), wood, curassow feathers (pauxi pauxi), seed and wánali stone

Culture

Hiwi

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, 2004