Rattles are used by all indigenous cultures just like drums. You are likely to find rattles begin used for healing purpose as well as musical. They can be made out of gourds, hide, shells etc. They are smaller then a drum and can be carried with less effort when wanting to bring an instrument along. I like to “Rattle people off” the rattle breaks up the energy in the body, cleaning up the aura and shifting the energy field, often supporting people in feeling lighter.
I have been having fun designing my rattles, layering the vibrations with color, feathers, images and gems. For many years I preferred the rattle as my tool of choose. Now I work with the drum and rattle equally.