Rattle made of six cones of tin attached to a wooden handle. The cones consist of different sizes, three wide and long, and three shorter and smaller in diameter. All are crimped at the handle, where they fit into a metal ring that joins them to the handle. Each cone widens toward the base. The larger three contain a wire hung with a metal nut as a clapper. The cones are decorated with circle and line motifs pressed into the tin. The wooden handle has an engraved line that spirals from end to end.

• Cultural Context

  religious; ceremonial

• Narrative

  This item is part of a set, acquired from the O Mundo dos Orixás shop, Madureira Market, in Rio de Janeiro.

• History Of Use

  The adjá is a primary liturgical instrument of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé. During Candomblé ceremonies it is used for several purposes: to indicate the beginning of a ceremony, to call the orixás, to guide those who perform the dances, and to keep the orixás’ energy in the terreiro (sacred ground). It can only be played by those who have become yawôs after completing the first seven years of Candomblé education. The yawô is presented with the right to use the adjá by an orixá during a public ceremony, after which they become an “Adjá Hand.”

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• Type of Item rattle
• Culture Brazilian
• Material tin metal, wood, paint
• Measurements height 28.0 cm, width 14.5 cm, depth 15.5 cm (overall)

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• Field Collector Nuno Porto
• Previous Owner Mundo dos Orixas
• Received from Mundo dos Orixas, Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget

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• Made in Rio de Janeiro

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• Creation Date during 2013
• Collection Date during November 2013
• Ownership Date before November 22, 2013
• Acquisition Date on November 22, 2013

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3041/0006