Spirit Dance Staff
About this object
History of use
Alternately referred to as a dance rattle, or dance baton. Elmendorf notes that amongst the southern Coast Salish: "this type of rattle consisted of several deer hoofs strung together, bunched. Several of these might be attached to a pole or held in the hand and shaken. Deer-hoof bunches were never attached to drums or other rattles. The deer-hoof rattle was especially used at spirit dances, principally in dancing the types of powers called qwa'xq for which deer-hoof bunches were attached to poles (1960:223)."
Narrative
Nichols said he purchased this staff on the Esquimalt Reserve.
Cultural context
ceremonial; spirit dance
Physical description
Deer hooves secured to top by twine and shoelace, handgrip in blue and white painted woven canvas, with red painted twine, deer hoof rattles, lattice work hand-grip.
Materials
Date Made
Before 1950
Date Acquired
17 Jun 1958
How Acquired
Sold
Measurements
Overall: 117 cm
Object Number
A6899