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November 16, 2011 on 11:20 pm
 Native American Gourd Rattle Native American gourd rattles do more than just make beautiful music. They are beautiful pieces of Indian art as well. These rattles are hand crafted from actual gourds and then painted with native designs. They can be used in traditional Indian dances, special ceremonies or even just for some fun around your home. Nearly every Indian tribe uses rattles of some sort during special occasions. Learning more about these rattles will help you to appreciate their beauty and unique features. Each Indian tribe uses different techniques when making their rattles, although most gourd rattles are made in a similar fashion. First gourds are needed. Traditionally Native Americans would grow these for use in their rattle making. An experienced rattle maker understands the specific shape that is needed to create rattles. Not every gourd will work well for this task. They are left on the vine until they are mature. You can tell that a gourd is ready to make into a rattle when you can hear the seeds rattle inside when the gourd is shaken. Next, the inside of the gourd will need to be cleaned. A small hole is cut and the seeds are taken out. In order to clean the rattle completely on the inside, special tools are used. The pulp and seeds must be removed before it can go through the creative process of gourd making. It is then dried and ready for preparation. The clean shell can be painted or varnished which will improve the sound quality and durability of the finished product. Next, the rattle is ready to be filled. Some tribes use special, symbolic items inside the gourd. The items will hold a special meaning. Otherwise the rattle can just be filled with seeds, dried corn or beads. The hole is then corked and the rattle is ready to paint. The best rattles are made by hand and then hand painted with Indian designs and symbols. They are often also decorated with beadwork, leather and feathers. A great place for artistic beading or a leather wrapping is the handle of the gourd. These rattles are often small, but with a little searching you can find some a little larger as well. Since they are made using authentic and time honored techniques, try and purchase ones that have been crafted by Indian artists. Once you find one that you like, it is time to put it on display. These colorful American Indian gourd rattles will look stunning placed on a display shelf or even hanging on the wall. It is interesting to display these rattles in a music room, especially if other Native American instruments are displayed. These unique rattles will make a beautiful statement in your home decor and will quickly become treasured possessions in your home. |
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