What: Turtle-shell Rattle, by Lillian Lossiah, Cherokee, North Carolina
Where to find it: On exhibit in “Lost and Found: Art Through Recycled Objects” at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.
Why you should care: Turtle-shell rattles are found in many Native American nations. Some believe the turtle’s significance lies in its ability to travel between the worlds of water and air. The turtle is a sacred animal to the Cherokee, at the center of the myth that recounts the creation of the Cherokee nation. The turtle-shell rattle is used by Cherokee in their shamanic rituals, and it is also played by the lead singer or cantor in stomp dances.
