In the Myaamia community, it’s common to see šiihšiikwana ‘gourd rattles’, especially during games like mahkisina meehkintiinki ‘moccasin game’ to accompany teasing songs sung during the game.
Participants in the Eemamwiciki Summer Programs have been making this project for many years, specifically when they explore the theme of weecinaakiiyankwi weecikaayankwi ‘singing and dancing together.’ Follow the steps below to make your own šiihšiikwani ‘gourd rattle.’
Supplies:
- Dried Gourd
- Dowel Rod
- Wood Glue
- Wooden Washer
- Drill
- Sandpaper
- Material to fill the rattle:
- Glass or plastic beads
- Metal or plastic BBs
- Pebbles
- Dried beans
Optional supplies for decorating:
- Cordage
- Ribbon
- Feathers
- Paint
- Woodburner
Steps:
- Select materials to fill the rattle:
- Keep in mind that the weight, amounts, and combinations of materials will impact the sound, so test out some different options until you find a sound you like
- Set your materials aside to use later
- Sand the wooden washer until it fits snugly into the gourd and set aside.
- Carefully drill a hole through the top of the gourd, large enough for the dowel rod to fit.
- Use wood glue to adhere the wooden dowel through the small hole at the top and let dry for at least 30 minutes before moving on to the next step.
- Fill the gourd with pre-selected materials.
- Glue washer to the bottom of the gourd and around the wooden dowel. Let the glue dry completely.
- Sometimes, the washer will be slightly bigger than the dowel rod. This can be remedied by gluing cordage or ribbon over the gaps.
Adhering the dowel to the top of the gourd. Photo by Megan Sekulich, Myaamia Center. 
Filling the gourd with BBs and lentils. Photo by Megan Sekulich, Myaamia Center. 
Adhering the washer to the bottom of the gourd. Photo by Megan Sekulich, Myaamia Center. 
Filling the gaps around the dowel rod with a piece of cordage. Photo by Megan Sekulich, Myaamia Center.
While you could stop here and have a nice instrument, there are many ways to decorate and add personality to the rattle.
Start by viewing some Myaamia art for inspiration and sketching out a few ideas. Many choose to paint, wood burn, and add cordage or ribbon to personalize the instruments. Below are some resources to get the ideas flowing.
I hope you enjoy making your own šiihšiikwani ‘rattle.’ You can share your creations with the Eemamwiciki team by sending an email to eemamwiciki@gmail.com or tagging Eemamwiciki on Facebook or Instagram.
Aacimotaatiiyankwi 
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