African gourd instruments are a testament to the ingenuity and musical richness of the continent. From the versatile calabash to the intricate shekere, these instruments offer a wide range of sounds and play a significant role in various cultural traditions. The gourd shekere is a simple percussion instrument that originated in Nigeria. It is used in traditional functions and ceremonies in the West African region.
Shekere
The Shekere: A Percussion Instrument of Many Names
The shekere (from Yoruba Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀) is a percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd. The instrument produces sound when shaken or struck against the hand. The instrument can also rest in the palm of one hand while other hand holds the handle of the gourd. A twisting wrist motion is used so that the gourd moves while beads remain in place causing friction and sound different than when the instrument is simply shaken or struck. The gourd shekere generates sounds when you shake, pull, twist, or tap its net. Once you master this organic instrument, you can make a wide variety of beats and sounds. Like many African instruments, the gourd shekere represents joy and dancing.
While originating with the Yoruba people, the instrument is common throughout West Africa and Latin America and is central to folk music traditions of many cultures as well as well as being utilized within some popular music styles. The shekere is a percussion instrument made from a dried gourd, covered with a net woven with beads, stones, or cowrie (small sea snails) shells. The instrument produces sound when shaken or struck against the hand. With regard to its origins and cultural significance, the shekere appeared in the Yoruba region of West Africa, which includes Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
Despite its Yoruba roots, the instrument has spread throughout West Africa and Latin America, becoming integral to the folk music traditions of many cultures. In Ghana the instrument is referred to as axatse. In Ghana, it is called the axatse, and in Brazil, it is known as the cabaça or xequerê. In Latin America the instrument is commonly known as cabaça. In Brazil, this African gourd rattle is called a xequerê. It consists of the gourd (cabaça) cut in the middle and then wrapped in a net in which beads or small plastic balls are threaded.
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In Cuba, the chekeré, also known as aggué (abwe), is a large, hollow gourd (~50 cm long, approx. 19+1⁄2 in) almost entirely surrounded by a network of cords, to which many coloured beads are attached. In Cuba, the shekere is known as chekere or aggué. It was adapted from its African roots by using local materials. The Cuban chekeré is a large, hollow gourd, approximately 50 cm long, surrounded by a network of cords with attached colored beads.
Making a Shekere
Crafting the Shekere
Shekeres are typically made from vine gourds, which are left to dry for several months before the pulp and seeds are removed. The shekere is made from vine gourds that grow on the ground. The shape of the gourd determines the sound of the instrument. A shekere is made by drying the gourd for several months then removing the pulp and seeds. After cleaning, beads are woven into a net that is fitted around the gourd. The traditional shekeres feature a round gourd with a handle.
Making a gourd shekere is very easy. All you need to do is find the right kind of gourd and buy some tools. The shape of the gourd determines the kind of sound it makes. The gourd is dried for several months before its pulp and seeds are removed. Once they are clean and dry, they are scrubbed to make them smooth. You can also design and decorate your own gourd shekere with simple art materials. You can find a wide variety of gourds grown in the United States. They are usually picked during the fall. Larger gourds are ideal for rich and deep tones, while smaller gourds have lighter and softer sound. Smoother and cleaner gourds resonate the sound better, so make sure that you clean and scrub the gourds before you place them on the net.
Playing the Shekere
There are multiple ways to produce sounds with the instrument. It can be shaken or hit against the hand. Holding the shekere upright will produce a soft bass tone, while light slaps on the bottom of the gourd produces tap sounds. The shekere can also create different sounds depending on what motion you apply. You can twist, turn, and shake the shekere to produce different sounds.
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Other Gourd-Based Instruments
Across Africa, many similar gourd-based percussion instruments exist, including the lilolo, axatse (Ghana), jabara (Guinea), ushàkà, and saa saa (Liberia). The agbe, a gourd drum from West Africa, is typically strung with cowrie shells and produces a distinctive sound.
Calabash Gourds
Basic design, many possibilities. These are West African “calabash” gourds selected for their smooth, round shape. Once cut in half, scraped clean and carefully dried, the calabash may be played in any number of ways. Commonly used as a water drum, inverted and floated on top of a water-filled container and struck with either hands or a soft mallet, has a killer bass tone. Or laid flat edge down on a soft surface and beat with the ball of the fist, makes a bassy thud, or struck with your choice of a striker for various other sounds. Also has many uses as a component in musical instrument making, and as a utility or art vessel for a home item. Sizes range from 3″ to 20″ diameter.
The Aslatua
The aslatua (ah-SLAH-too-uh) is a unique hand percussion toy that will capture your attention with its tricky polyrhythm. The aslatua (ah-SLAH-too-uh) is a unique hand percussion toy that will capture your attention with its tricky polyrhythm. This simple instrument (also known as aslato, kashaka, cascas, televi, kasso-kassoni, and more) is played by holding one gourd in the palm while simultaneously shaking and swinging the second gourd. The gourds come from the Swawa tree in West Africa, which are dried, hollowed, filled with pebbles, and connected with a string.
| Instrument Name | Origin | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shekere | Yoruba region of West Africa | Dried gourd covered with a net woven with beads or cowries |
| Axatse | Ghana | Similar to shekere |
| Cabaça/Xequerê | Brazil | African gourd rattle |
| Chekeré/Aggué | Cuba | Large, hollow gourd with a network of cords and beads |
| Calabash | West Africa | Versatile gourd used as water drum or in instrument making |
| Aslatua | West Africa | Hand percussion toy with two gourds connected by a string |
How to Play the Shekere
The Shekere in Modern Music
African related music and instruments such as the shekere, bongo, and djembe have been growing in popularity in the American contemporary music scene. When it comes to modern adaptations, shekeres are currently made from a variety of materials beyond the traditional gourd. Modern manufacturers produce shekeres using durable fiberglass, which provides a thicker neck and wide mouth for deep bass tones when struck.
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