South Africa
Zulu

Argema mimosae cocoons
Mid 20th Century
Length: 56 inches
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle Adornment

 Traditional butterfly cocoon dance rattles made by the Zulu people of South Africa.  Once the moth has emerged, the cocoons are filled with sand or small stones and then sewn onto ropes.  The species of the cocoons are identified as the Argema mimosae, known as the African moon moth, a giant silk moth of the Saturniidae family. These cocoon rattles are used for traditional dancing  during ceremonies such as weddings, births, and funerals.  They are wrapped around the ankle and tied on by the rope.