North Carolina
Southeast / Cherokee

Box turtle shells, leather, seeds
ca. early 20th century
Length: 17 in, Width: 11 in (Each)
Idiophone – Struck – Indirectly (Rattle)

A pair of ankle/legging rattles from the Cherokee People in North Carolina.  These very rare boot leather leggings with attached Box turtle shells, are made into rattles and produce a very loud sound when danced.  The hide backing, has Box turtle shells with small pebbles inside each shell, strapped on with strands of leather.   These rattles are danced by men and women during the Cherokee Stomp dances, as they shuffle and stomp around a ceremonial fire with chanting and drumming.  The dance is a ceremony that contains both religious and social meanings.  To the Cherokee, Muscogee Creeks, and other Southeastern native people, Stomp Dance is affiliated with the Green Corn ceremony.  In the Caddo language, the dance is called kakitihánnakah.  For further information about the Stomp Dance, please visit: http://www.northerncherokeenation.com/the-stomp-dance.html

Resource:  Edmonds, Randlett. Nusht’uhtiti Hasinay: Caddo Phrasebook. Richardson, TX: Various Indian Peoples Publishing, 2003: 19. ISBN 1-884655-00-9.