shishiquoi

[< Cdn F < Algonk.; cf. Montagnais shishikwan]

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a rattle used by the Indians in medicine rituals and to accompany singing and dancing. Numerous spellings.

Quotations

1763

In his hand, he had his shishiquoi, or rattle, with which he beat time to his medicine song.

1801

While the company are enjoying their meal, the chief sings, and accompanies his song with the tambourin, or shishiquoi, or rattle.

1819

If the patient is very ill, [the conjuror] attends him at least every morning, and sings and shakes his che-the-quy, for an hour or two. . . .

1935

Instead of a tambourine, they used a disk-like rattle (shishigwan) of parchment 6 to 9 inches in diameter. . . .