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Carved wooden peyote drumstick / Unknown

Essay/Description

A drumstick carved of dark wood with flattened round balls at each end. There is an incised line running most of the length of one side. the line is straight on one side and zig-zag (saw-toothed) in form on the other.

Curatorial Remarks

There is tremendous diversity in Native American Church drumsticks. Sometimes they have carved designs, or they may have pieces of glass or jewels set into them as well. Most men have personal drumsticks that are the right weight for their drumming style, and a road man may have multiple drumsticks. Sometimes, they are made out of special wood that has personal significance.

Tags: drumstick
People: Native American Church
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial events

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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Title(s): 
Carved wooden peyote drumstick
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Whitesell Bigmoon Collection (Collection)
Culture: 
Native American; Osage (artist and user)
Date: 
20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
wood
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift of Mr and Mrs. John R. Whitesell and Sons
Accession No: 
73.743
Previous Number(s): 
TL1997.45.3
Department: 
Not On View

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