Iroquois Water Drum |
Iroquois Water Drum and Music
One of the most popular instruments used throughout many tribes was the Iroquois Water Drum. Specifically in the Seneca tribe, the water drum was often used along side the horn rattle for several different types of rituals and dances. In some circumstances it was the only instrument used, such as during the Bears and Buffalo Societies. The Iroquois also used turtle rattles, made from the shells of snapping turtles. Of all the instruments the Iroquois used, the Great Turtle Rattle was the most important. The turtle was a very sacred animal for many Native American tribes. According to creation myths, the earth itself rested on the back of the turtle. The myth of creation is important to establish how the Native American tribes understood their place on this earth. Most cultures have some form of a creation story that explains their understanding of the natural and supernatural world. |
Bibliography:
Conklin, Harold C., and William C. Sturtevant. "Seneca Indian Singing Tools at Coldspring Longhouse. Musical Instruments of the Modern Iroquois." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 1953., 262, JSTOR Journals, EBSCOhost (accessed April 26, 2015).
Wikipedia contributors, "Iroquois music," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed May 3, 2015).
Conklin, Harold C., and William C. Sturtevant. "Seneca Indian Singing Tools at Coldspring Longhouse. Musical Instruments of the Modern Iroquois." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 1953., 262, JSTOR Journals, EBSCOhost (accessed April 26, 2015).
Wikipedia contributors, "Iroquois music," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed May 3, 2015).