TSENATSIL (ETHIOPIAN SISTRUM) CEREMONIAL RATTLE
[1,2]: ጽናጽል / TSENATSIL (ETHIOPIAN SISTRUM) CEREMONIAL RATTLE
[3,4]: Used in religious ceremonies and worship services by priests of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
[6-8]: The sistrum (open-faced rattle) originated from historic Egypt and peoples along the Nile. Poetically, it was also used in contexts of worship.From: Ethiopia 🇪🇹 (also historic Egypt 🇪🇬)Source [1,2]: nineeightseven on Etsy
Source [3]: “Exciting religious dance of Ethiopian Orthodox. Tewahido Church Music Mezmur Drum Dance” by @muluken.girma on YouTube
Source [4]: Orthodox Tewahdo on Pinterest
Source [5]: AbyssinianArtifacts on Etsy
Source [6,7]: @wikicommons
Source [8]: @internetarchive
Source notes [1,2]:
“Handmade golden sistra/sistrum made of solid bronze. Sistra, which are rhythmical instruments, are primarily used to accompany other instruments during religious rites and festivals in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Sistrum has been a significant liturgical instrument for centuries. It is currently played by the Debtera, who are cantors, during dances performed on important church festivals.”
Source notes [6]:
“Nefertari, wife of Ramesses II, holding a sekhem-type sistrum”
Source notes [8]: “Tomb Stela of Hetepsi ca. 2323–2100 B.C….Hetepsi bears the titles King’s Sole Ornament and Priestess of Hathor Mistress of Dendera, and in her latter capacity she carries a sistrum in her hand”
Observations:
cultural synthesis & continuity, material intelligence, material awareness, user experience (considering weight in form’s design)