Southeast Tanzania and Northern Mozambique
Makonde

African blackwood, metal, rattan
Early 20th Century
Height: 14 in (15 in w/stand); Width: 5.25 in (w/stand); Diameter: 4.75 in
Idiophone-Struck Indirectly – Shaken – Rattle

The Makonde are best known for their masks representing human and animal characters. This wood, ceremonial Makonde rattle (called linyango), with a male head forming its handle, features an open mouth and closed eyes. It has a hollow resonance chamber with ten hand wrought bells around its base, and a loop near the head on the handle for hanging. The bottom of the rattle is wrapped in coated rattan cord. This dark brown rattle was most likely used in ceremonial Lipiko dances associated with the coming-of-age rituals.