Democratic Republic of Congo
Luba – Shankadi

Wood. rattan, seeds, seed pod
Mid 20th Century
Length: 12 in
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

The Shankadi are essentially a subgroup of the Luba peoples. They have a social system based around a hereditary chief known as a Mulohwe, who is presumably answerable to the Luba overlord.  

This Shankadi rattle comes from the people of the DRC ~ formerly Zaire.  It has a nicely carved figure perched on top a single seed pod. This rattle shows an old brown-black patina with signs of usage and age.