Drum Beater

70-9-472D

From: Canada | Ontario | Six Nations Reservation

Curatorial Section: American

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Object Number 70-9-472D
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Delaware Culture | Lenape | Munsee
Provenience Canada | Ontario | Six Nations Reservation
Culture Area Northeast Culture Area
Creator Nick Peters
Date Made Before 1938
Section American
Materials Pigment | Wood
Technique Painted
Description

Model of drum (A) and 4 beaters (B-E) used in Delaware Big House Ceremony. Drum is stitched hide, decorated with red paint with black figures of bear and crescent moon. Beaters are wood with black star design on red, with black handle.

Note from Speck reads, "Toy model of hide drum and 4 beaters used in former Del. ,,, House (abandoned 1850) in Six Nations Delaware settlement. Red = Wapauachki division of Delaware. White = Unami, union of the two tribes in prehistoric times. Red faces east, white faces west. Symbol of new ... = time of ceremony of Bear Sacrifice in Jan-Feb, figure of bear = Constellation of star worship.

Length 5.5 cm
Credit Line Bequest of Samuel Pennypacker, 1970

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