Clappers

About this object

History of use

Carried by the Mitlha dancer instead of a rattle. Used to disrupt the singers (C. George, J. Seaweed, 1966).

Cultural context

ceremonial

Physical description

Brown wood clapper in the form of a killer whale. Black lower jaw is nailed together with a strip of hide skin. A white string through a metal hook at either inner jaw connects the two together inside the mouth. Black dorsal fin has a plain ovoid and is inserted into the back. Has oval black eyes in a tapering oval surrounded by a green area. Mouth is red. Body is black and tapers down to an outward flaring handle.