This xotxó’as (whistle) was constructed and owned by Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) warrior hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf). Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) warriors would carry these xotxó’as (whistles) with them as forms of protection during times of war as they had spiritual powers. For hímiin maqsmáqs’ (Yellow Wolf), the spiritual power of his xotxó’as (whistle) was that it afforded him protection from harm during battle and he carried the xotxó’as (whistle) with him throughout the Nez Perce War of 1877. Importantly, it is believed that the spiritual power given to hímiin maqsmáqs’ (Yellow Wolf) could not only provide him personal protection, but he could use his power to protect all of the citizens of his community, such as women and children who weren't fighting in battle. This specific xotxó’as (whistle) is made from the bone of either a crane or goose and measures 24.3 cm in length. The middle whistle plug is likely made from a combination of charcoal and pitch/resin. Additionally, the xotxó’ as (whistle) is wound and attached to buckskin straps that are attached with two eagle feathers at the ends. The buckskin straps were likely painted with either 'éet'is (red mineral paint) or trade vermillion paint. On one end of the xotxó’as (whistle) bone base, there are two cut feathers attached to groupings of small white and yellow beads. These feathers are most likely from a wetyétmes (trumpeter swan). Notably, in Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) culture, the warrior who owned the xotxó’as (whistle) or his family may be the only people who knew the specific components of the whistle or their significance. In Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) culture, it is believed that the spiritual power of the xotxó’as (whistle) is lessened when the details of the xotxó’as (whistle's) components are shared with an increasing number of people. Since hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf) carried his xotxó’as (whistle) through the Nez Perce War of 1877, he most likely constructed it sometime in the 1870s prior to the start of the war. Evidence suggests hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf) gave his xotxó’as (whistle) to L.V. McWhorter around 1909. Image 1: This Image provides an overview of the xotxó’as (whistle), including all of the components, such as the crane or goose bone base, dyed buckskin straps attached with eagle feathers, and cut wetyétmes (trumpeter swan feathers) attached with small white and yellow beads. Image 2: This Image provides closeup detail of the wetyétmes (trumpeter swan) feathers attached to the end of the xotxó’as (whistle). Unlike the eagle feathers attached to the end of the buckskin straps, these wetyétmes (trumpeter swan) feathers are "cut" feathers that are cut in a specific pattern. Image 3: This photo displays the plug inside the xotxó’as (whistle), likely made from a combination of charcoal and pitch/resin, and the buckskin straps wrapped around the xotxó’as (whistle). These straps were dyed red using either 'éet'is (red mineral paint) or trade vermillion colored paint. Image 4: This photo highlights the small yellow and white beads that are attached to the cut wetyétmes (trumpeter swan) feathers. These feathers are attached to one end of the xotxó’as (whistle) base. Image 5: In this photo, one can see closeup detail of one of two eagle feathers attached to the painted buckskin straps/thongs.
