Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh)

Native American (Iroquois)

Not on view

Small turtle shell rattles are frequently used by Native Americans. However, the shells of large snapping turtles were originally used by Seneca and Iroquois singers during the Great Feather Dance and in healing rituals of the False Face Company. Iroquois mythology maintains that the earth rests on the back of a turtle.

Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)

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Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)
Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)
Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)
Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)
Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)
Kanyáhte’ ká’nowa’ (Snapping turtle rattle) or Kastáwēˀshæˀ (Ga-Nó-Wa Gustáh), Shell, wood, cherry pits?, leather, Native American (Iroquois)

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