Tsiitsiito (rattle)
The Hiwi shaman's rattle is the principal musical instrument used for healing and divination among the Hiwi. It helps the entranced healer to call upon málike and málikai, spirits who may take the form of birds. The rattle’s carefully incised calabash body has small holes at the cardinal points and contains seeds and magical crystals (wánali stones). The handle features curassow feathers which add to the rattle’s power.
Artwork Details
- Title: Tsiitsiito (rattle)
- Culture: Hiwi Indians
- Date: late 19th century
- Geography: Colombia or Venezuela
- Culture: Hiwi
- Medium: calabash (Crescentia cujete), wood, curassow feathers (pauxi pauxi), seed and wánali stone
- Dimensions: L. 14 15/16 × Diam. 4 3/16 in. (38 × 10.7 cm)
- Classification: Idiophone-Shaken-rattle
- Credit Line: Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, 2004
- Object Number: 2004.50
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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Colombian
mid 19th century
Native American (Peruvian)
late 19th century
Native American (Tucurima, possibly)
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Peruvian
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