| Do you love Native American Rattles and other | | | | the different tribes including the Cherokee, |
| Indian musical instruments? Rattles are excellent | | | | Navajo, Apache, Pueblo, Zuni and Hopi, can all be |
| Native American symbols and representations of | | | | recognized by the variations of the beautiful art |
| Indian people and their unique culture. They are | | | | work on their hand crafts. One thing these people |
| also among the most used musical instruments | | | | do have in common is that they all play rattles in |
| for use in ceremonies and rituals throughout most | | | | various ceremonial rituals and as part of music, |
| Indian tribes. Rattles, for many years and for the | | | | dance, medicine and spirituality. |
| majority of American Indians, have always played | | | | The Indian rattles are really very beautiful and are |
| a large part in the spiritual connection with the | | | | made with a number of natural materials such as |
| creator as well as for use in social events. | | | | turtle shell, leather, rawhide, bead work and Native |
| As you study the intriguing history of American | | | | American feathers. Fur, fringe, seeds, rocks, |
| Indians and their use of Native American rattles, | | | | antlers, horns, bones and shells are used to create |
| you will learn that they are symbolic among the | | | | that unique Indian style. Clay beads, blue corn, |
| Indigenous people and are essential to the tribal | | | | manzanita seeds or small smooth stones such as |
| ceremony in which they are played. It is said that | | | | those found at the mouth of an ant hill, are also |
| they symbolize the animal, plant, and mineral | | | | sometimes inserted in the rattles to give it the |
| kingdoms. The animal kingdom is exemplified in | | | | desired sound. |
| the form of the container or decorative feather | | | | Indian people have always used music, songs, |
| of the rattle. The mineral kingdom is represented | | | | stories and legends to express their cultural beliefs |
| by the rocks that make the sound or also by the | | | | and traditions to each other and to those around |
| paint used for the artwork pictured on the rattle. | | | | them. It is in harmony with these forms of |
| And, the plant kingdom is symbolized by the | | | | learning that rattles have come to be an |
| handle. | | | | important part in the ritualistic ceremonies of the |
| When researching the uses of Native American | | | | Indian people. |
| rattles and how they are played, you will learn | | | | That is the reason there is nothing more |
| that almost every tribe and Indian culture including | | | | fascinating than owning genuine Indian musical |
| the Navajo culture, play rattles in their ceremonial | | | | instruments and hand crafts. You can easily buy |
| rituals. Among the many variations of Indian | | | | Native rattles online and sometimes in stores that |
| rattles, along with the popular gourd rattles and | | | | sell southwest home decorating items. If you are |
| turtle shell rattles, the simple rawhide rattle is the | | | | intrigued by authentic Indian musical instruments, |
| most used in Native American tribes. | | | | or are looking for the perfect instrument to play |
| The images, such as the Navajo bear or Navajo | | | | in your drumming circles, you will no doubt enjoy |
| eagle, used in the artwork depicted on the rattles, | | | | the beautiful sound of Native American rattles. |
| differ with each tribe. You will find it intriguing that | | | | |