Utah
Great Basin / Ute

Turtle shell, wood, feathers, pigment, glass beads, hide, horse hair
Early 20th century
Length: 21 in
Idiophone – Struck – Indirectly (Rattle)

The Native American rattle can be made of many different types of materials.  Materials used to designate life represent the animal world and the plant world.  The peaceful and deliberate nature of turtles often represents tranquility and steadfastness, while the tough shell means that it symbolizes protection from adversaries.  The function of a rattle is also varied and can range from a rhythmic dance instrument to a shaman’s sacred and symbolic instrument.

This shaman’s (medicine man) turtle rattle comes from the Ute people, who are among the indigenous peoples of the Great Basin, in the regions of present-day Utah and Colorado.  Among the Ute many of their rituals and ceremonies focused on curing ceremonies and healing powers that were received by a shaman through dreams.  These dreams would give secret information to the shaman concerning power within the animal and plant life that he could appeal to for help.

The symbols and characters painted on the turtle shell are important in recognizing the spiritual trait and function of this rattle, that is known by the shaman.  This rattle also displays several elements including feathers.  Depending upon which animal the feather came from, it may be symbolic of trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, freedom, and many more things as well as certain virtues.
The state of Utah is named after the Ute tribe.

Resource:  http://indians.org/index.html