The rattle - okretaljka
Aljmaš, Osijek, 19th century
wood
trimming, excision, insertion, notching
length of the stick = 26 cm
length of the feather = 23 cm
length of the tile = 26,5 cm
Soundtrack: Lana Moslavac, playing the described instrument from the museum collection
POH-468/1920
The Collection of Musical instruments by Franjo Ksaver Kuhač
The hand rattle (okretaljka or vrtaljka) is an idiphone made of wood. The rattling sound is produced by a flat piece of wood hitting the cut out ribs on the drum when one the instrument is shaken.
This rattle was given to Kuhač by a field and vineyard caretaker, Ivan Šakić, from Aljmaš who used it to scare away starlings, sparrows, and other birds flying over the fields. The rattle was also used to make noise during the carnival and on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday ahead of Easter instead of bells.