Region of Seminole, Florida
Southeast / Seminole

Coconut, wood, leather
ca. Mid- 20th century
Length: 15 in
Idiophone – Struck – Indirectly (Rattle)

A coconut rattle used by the Seminole of Florida.   Holes are drilled in the coconut to amplify the rattle’s sound making them most suitable for the outside, open spaces.  Seminole tribal gatherings where these rattles were mostly likely used, include the Corn Dance in June and the Hunting Dance in September.  According to Jason Baird Jackson, coconut rattles are also found among the southeastern Yuchi people who are now based in the northeastern Oklahoma area, where many are enrolled citizens of the federally recognized Muscogee (Creek) Nation.  The Oklahoma tribes called such rattles, “gourds” in English. 

According to Jim Rementer, coconut shell rattles were also used by the Delaware people in northeastern Oklahoma.  These rattles were used sometimes in place of the regular gourd rattles for dances like the Bean Dance (Malaxkwsitkan) and also by the men singers who accompanied the main singer who was using a water drum.  Noticeable about Delaware people’s coconut rattle, is they do not have drilled holes.

Resources: https://jasonbairdjackson.com/2012/05/27/coconut-rattles-in-florida-and-oklahoma/;  https://jasonbairdjackson.com/2019/08/20/delaware-indian-dance-rattles-made-of-coconuts/