Kultrún

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kettle drum — vessel rattle (211.11-91 + 112.13). Traditionally, its body consists of a wooden piece carved in the shape of a hemispherical platter. Occasionally, it may be replaced by a gourd or a metallic bowl. In its interior, glass beads, pebbles and other small objects (feathers, medicinal herbs, silver coins, etc.) are placed. These objects, which are enclosed in groups of four or its multiples, have a symbolic value. The leather skin that covers the bowl has a ring of the same material on the edge. This ring is laced to the one surrounding the base by means of a zig-zag binding made of a leather string and braided mane. Such binding is fastened transversally with a lace made of the same material. The skin surface is ornamented with geometrical drawings painted in red which represent the mapuche’s cosmogony. This instrument, circumscribed to this ethnic group, is used in collective ceremonies, rites, medicinal songs, spells, etc. The kultrun is made in two sizes. The small one, with a handle on its base, is played by women, generally a shaman or machi. In this case the left hand holds the handle while the right one hits the skin with a drumstick, shaking it simultaneously or independently. The big one is sounded by adult men who put it on the floor and strike it with two sticks. h. 20 x 0 40 cm. Gift, Dr. Emilio Azzarini’s Collection, 1964. IM 327.