szalmuxcs (Rattle)

Anthropologist Wayne Suttles notes that ritualists rattles are used for cleansing. They are currently used by the Coast Salish at Potlatches, when families are doing "work" such as naming or honouring the dead. In the past, they had a different use and were primarily associated with winter dancing. He notes that horn rattles were previously used to: "induce possession in a person expected to become a 'new dancer' (1987:107)."

This rattle was originally identified as being made of horn, but the material is actually wood.

ceremonial; music; cleansing; purification

Rattle made from bent wood with engraved designs in faded red colour. The head of the rattle is triangular in shape. The handle is wrapped in wool. The top of the rattle and the base of its handle are also fringed with wool.