34 



ABORIGINAL POTTERY OF EASTERN UNITED STATES [eth.ann.20 



Musical Instruments of Earthenware 



Many early writei\s mention the use of earthern vessels for drums. 

 Parchment or buckskin was stretched over the mouths of large pots, 

 and this, beaten with sticks, furnished the music for dances and cere- 

 monies and noise for the gratification of savage taste. In Central 

 America and apparently, also, in Florida special forms were modeled 

 for this purpose, the rim being shaped for the convenient attachment 

 of the skin head. 



Joutel, speaking of the southern Iiidians, states that on burial occa- 

 sions the — 



dancer.- take care to tie calabashes or gourds about their bodies, witli some Indian 

 wheat in them, to rattle and make a noise, and some of them have a drum, made of 

 a great earthen pot, on which they extend a wild goat's skin, and beat thereon with 

 one stick, like our taVtors." 



Fig. 4 — I'se of earthen vessel as a drum ( Potherie). 



Potherie has bequeathed us an illustration of an Indian l)eating a 

 pottery drum (see figure 4) — drawn from description, no doubt, but 

 interesting as a record of facts or statements not emljodied, so far as 

 has been noted, in the text of his work.'' 



Lafitau mentions the use of earthenware drums by the Iroquois; and 

 Butel-Dumont makes the following statement, reference being had 

 to the Louisiana Indians: 



The next day at dawn all this troop sets out on the march, having at its head the 

 cleverest among them, wlio carries the calumet, and as they approach the \Tllage all 

 begin to sing and dance. One of them carries in the left hand an earthen pot covered 

 with a dressed deerskin stretched tightly over it and fastened to it by a cord, and 

 with a single drumstick in his right hand he beats the time on this pot, which serves 



nJoutel's Journal of La Salle's last voyage, in French, B. F., Historical collections of Louisiana, 

 pt. 1. New York, liylB, pp. 187-188. 



'"Potherie, Bacqueville de la, Histoire de I'AmiSrique septentrionale, Paris, 1753, vol. I, plate 

 opp. p. 17. 



