Southern Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Senegal
Bambara

Rattan, leather
Mid 20th Century
Diameter of the Bottom: 9 inches
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

A well sculptured cone-shaped dance rattle by the Bambara people of southern Mali.  This dance rattle is made from rattan fibers woven and attached to a leather base.  A woven loop on top allows the performer to easily hold the rattle with one hand.  Inside the rattle are dried seeds that bounce against the leather bottom of the rattle to enhance the sound.