Cocoons of H. euryalus were collected by the Pomo mainly on manzanita shrubs. Maidu Tribe cocoon rattles, producing a soft, sibilant rustling when shaken, were used in all parts of the Maidu territory. The Maidu used cocoon rattles only for ceremonial purposes, and generally only shamans used them. They were always used while praying to spirits, and sometimes for curing, poisoning or in the dance house. The Wintun Tribe cocoon rattles were used by a singer to circle the fire singing a fire song.
Shamanism is a term applied in Siberia to belief in spirits and supernatural powers.
Among Native Americans, a shaman is a medicine man who is also a religious leader, i.e., both physician and priest. The similarity between these beliefs and practices in Siberia and in America down to the southern tip of South America is considered evidence that the shamanism practiced by Native Americans originated prehistorically in Asia. Cocoons of Rothschildia cincta are part of inter-regional commerce among the Tarahumara Tribe . The strings of rattles may be worn around the wrist as well as the ankle. Each anklet consists of a single strand wound around the lower leg to sometimes cover a broad area between the knee and the foot.