Ceremonial Chanting Rattle
Cecil Dawson Large Hand Made Ceremonial Chanting Rattle
NOS Beautiful, original 24 inches long by 3 inch wide ceremonial red cedar wood Chanting Rattle which was used at a Potlatch and is filled with pebbles from a river in Port Alberni, B.C. is in the style of the Kwakuitl nation.
This rattle is used for potlatching and ceremonies .
Potlatches are social occasions given by a host to establish or uphold his/her status position within the tribe. Often they were held to mark a significant event in their family, such as the birth of a child, a daughter’s first menses, or a marriage. Potlatches are to be distinguished from feasts in that all guests are invited to a potlatch to share food and receive gifts or payment. Potlatches held by commoners were mainly local, while members of high standing often invited guests from many tribes. Potlatches were also the venue in which permission to use ceremonial privileges was asserted, displayed, and formally transferred to heirs.