Shamanic Rattle depicting Oyster Catcher, 1979
by Richard Lavalle
Adopted by the George Family, Tlingit Nation
alder, pigment, seed beads
4.75” high x 13.5” long x 3.5” wide
Most often associated with shamanic practices on the Northwest Coast, rattles of this type are held oriented with the bird's beak pointing down when used in dance.
Rattles like this are used to channel a shaman's spirit guide and can be used in healing ceremonies. Much of the symbolism associated with this rattle comments on the transmission of power from one figure to the next.
This exceptional rattle depicts an Oyster Catcher. On the back of the bird is the figure of a shaman torturing a witch (rival shaman) by twisting their hair. At the end of the rattle is a figure of a land otter—a powerful spiritual metaphor, where land otters are known to inhabit liminal, mystical spaces and guide shamans through metaphysical transitions. In the belly of the rattle is a hawk like figure.
The carver Richard Lavalle has been working in the tradition of the Northwest Coast Native Peoples for thirty-five years. He has been carving for the Tlingit Tribal Nation for over 10 years. The George Family adopted he and his wife into the Tlingit tribe in October 2000. Richard’s Tlingit name is Kut Daa Jaa Gu and his wife’s Tlingit name is Shawat Googh. They are authorized to wear symbols of the Raven Cave, two headed raven, raven, killer whale, bull head, sockeye salmon, wood worm, rat and North Star. They currently spend part of their time each year at their cabin on Killisnoo island which is part of the town of Angoon, Alaska.
