Presentation made by Lyn Humphries to Community Unity on June 12, 2003
Lyn began by saying that gourds have been found on nearly every part of the planet since prehistoric times. Tribal societies used the dried gourds to make rattles, now known as shekeries. She explained the definition that rattles have handles and shakers do not. A sistrum is similar but is open to make music. Often these instruments were played at hearbeat rhythm, which was then slowed down to induce a trance state. Shekeries are not actually "rattles." Shekeries have the beads or seeds woven on the outside of the gourd in a neeting and are uniquely African. They came to North and South America with the slave trade.
Lyn showed some of the shekerie she has made and explained how in Egyptian and upper African societies, they used carvings of papyrus. She showed African trade beads that were traditionally used around African bottle gourds. Cowrie shells were used as a symbol of feminine energy.
Lyn continues the tradition of carving totem animals and other symbols on her gourds, similar to those used in many pagan societies. She defined "Pagan" as those who do not follow the Book (that is, not Christianity, Islam or Judaism.) For Pagan people, everything is sacred and therefore the symbols used on her shekeries utilize Celtic dragons, wolves, Norse ruin staves with horses, tree of life and Native American symbols.
For more information, Lyn Humphries can be reached by calling 812-338-3675.
Lyn began by saying that gourds have been found on nearly every part of the planet since prehistoric times. Tribal societies used the dried gourds to make rattles, now known as shekeries. She explained the definition that rattles have handles and shakers do not. A sistrum is similar but is open to make music. Often these instruments were played at hearbeat rhythm, which was then slowed down to induce a trance state. Shekeries are not actually "rattles." Shekeries have the beads or seeds woven on the outside of the gourd in a neeting and are uniquely African. They came to North and South America with the slave trade.
Lyn showed some of the shekerie she has made and explained how in Egyptian and upper African societies, they used carvings of papyrus. She showed African trade beads that were traditionally used around African bottle gourds. Cowrie shells were used as a symbol of feminine energy.
Lyn continues the tradition of carving totem animals and other symbols on her gourds, similar to those used in many pagan societies. She defined "Pagan" as those who do not follow the Book (that is, not Christianity, Islam or Judaism.) For Pagan people, everything is sacred and therefore the symbols used on her shekeries utilize Celtic dragons, wolves, Norse ruin staves with horses, tree of life and Native American symbols.
For more information, Lyn Humphries can be reached by calling 812-338-3675.