Black Dance Bird Rattle
About this object
History of use
According to accession records this rattle was used in the Black Dance. Anthropologist Pamela Amoss discusses Black Paint dancers who receive their spirit powers through initiation by capture, rather than spontaneous possession as is the case with red paint dancers. However, there is another tradition "that seems to have influenced the modern black dancers is the secret society, which was found among the Songish, Clallam, Twana, Lummi, Puyallup Nisqually and Swinomish (Amoss 1978:72-73)." Elmendorf adds that: "this rattle was used only in secret society initiations, and, occasionally, when filled with supernatural power by a secret society member, to locate lost articles (1960:223)."
Cultural context
ceremonial; Black Dance; secret societies
Specific techniques
Physical description
Wooden rattle with thick handle, bulbous body and thin bird-like head and neck. Has been carved in two halves - the sections tied together through small holes along the seams (now in two pieces).
Date Acquired
Jun 1958
How Acquired
Sold
Measurements
Overall: 44.5 x 12.1 cm
Object Number
A2256