Rattle

Wicker baskets, roughtly conical in shape, the opening closed with a gourd disc. Made from strips of the cuticle of the midrib of raphia leaf, with a loop of rattan as handle, the lower part which has an ornamental lashing of green and yellow woollen yarn. Contain pebbles, which are shaken in the rattle in a series of forcible downward jerks producing a sharp staccate rhythm as accompaniment to dancing. Not used in the ceremonial dances. There is usually a battery of several pairs, each pair manipulated by one man.