Gus-da-wa-sa (turtle rattle)

Northeastern and Southeastern Native American tribes developed turtle shells into instruments. Hollowed-out shells were filled with river pebbles, animal teeth, seeds, or other small objects.

Handheld rattles, such as this one from the Haudenosaunee, are traditionally used by medicine men. Its handle is carved to resemble a snake. In Haudenosaunee cosmology, the turtle carries the Earth on its back and snakes appear as monsters. Therefore, the rattle holds great spiritual significance.

Today rattles are made from tin cans and other modern materials.