| Native American Rattles make great additions to | | | | the different tribes including the Cherokee, |
| any group of Indian musical instruments. Rattles | | | | Navajo, Apache, Pueblo, Zuni and Hopi, can all be |
| are intriguing Native American icons representing | | | | distinguished by the variations of the beautiful art |
| Indigenous people and their unique beliefs. | | | | work on their hand crafts. |
| They are also among the most used musical | | | | Something these people do have in common is |
| instruments for use in powwows and other | | | | that they all play rattles in various ceremonial |
| ceremonies throughout most Indian tribes. Rattles, | | | | gatherings and as part of music, dance, medicine |
| for many years and for many groups of | | | | and spirituality. The Indian rattles are really very |
| American Indians, have always played a large part | | | | appealing and are designed with a variety of |
| in the spiritual connection with the creator as well | | | | natural materials such as turtle shell, leather, |
| as for use in communal events. | | | | rawhide, bead work and Native American |
| As you read about the interesting history of | | | | feathers. |
| American Indians and their use of Native | | | | Fur, fringe, seeds, rocks, antlers, horns, bones and |
| American rattles, you will find that they are | | | | shells are used to create that unique native style. |
| symbolic among the Indigenous people and are | | | | Clay beads, blue corn, manzanita seeds or small |
| very meaningful to the tribal rituals in which they | | | | smooth rocks such as those found near the |
| are played. | | | | opening of an ant hill, are also sometimes placed in |
| It is said that they signify the animal, plant, and | | | | the rattles to get the desired sound. |
| mineral kingdoms. The animal kingdom is | | | | Native culture has always used music, songs, |
| exemplified in the form of the container or | | | | stories and legends to express their cultural beliefs |
| decorative feather of the rattle. The mineral | | | | and customs to each other and to those around |
| kingdom is signified by the rocks that sound or | | | | them. It is in harmony with these forms of |
| also by the paint used for the artwork pictured | | | | learning that rattles have come to be a significant |
| on the rattle. And, the plant kingdom is | | | | part in the ritualistic ceremonies of the Indigenous |
| represented by the handle. | | | | people. |
| When researching the uses of Native American | | | | That is why there is nothing more thrilling than |
| rattles and how they are played, you will see that | | | | owning genuine Indian musical instruments and |
| almost every tribal culture including the Navajo | | | | hand crafts. You can easily buy Native rattles |
| culture, play rattles in their ceremonies. Among | | | | online and sometimes in stores that sell western |
| the many variations of Indian rattles, including the | | | | home decor. |
| highly sought-after gourd rattles and turtle shell | | | | If you are fascinated by authentic Indian musical |
| rattles, the simple rawhide rattle is the most | | | | instruments, or are searching for the perfect |
| common in Native American tribes. | | | | instrument to play in your drumming circles or |
| The symbols, such as the Navajo bear or Navajo | | | | powwows, you will no doubt love the beautiful |
| eagle, used in the artwork pictured on the rattles, | | | | sound of Native American rattles. |
| differ with each tribe. You will find it intriguing that | | | | |