Skin rattle

This rattle is a strong, simple design from North America. A thin piece of wood is bent into a loop, then a piece of fresh skin is folded over and sewn on with a strip of leather. Inside are some pebbles or seeds to make it rattle. As the skin dries it shrinks tight and the the instrument becomes quite resonant.

Closeup showing stitching

Skin rattle Side view One piece of leather folded over

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