Red Calabash Gourd and Cowrie Shell Shekere-Large

Red Calabash Gourd and Cowrie Shell Shekere-Large

The shekere is a West African percussion instrument, traditionally made from a hollowed-out gourd covered with a net of beads or in this case cowrie shells. It belongs to the idiophone family of instruments, which produce sound through the vibration of the instrument itself, without the use of strings or membranes. This shaker also functions as a decorative item as it comes with a string for wall hanging.

The gourd is usually dried and hollowed-out, then decorated with a netting of beads, seeds, or shells, which can be made from various materials such as glass, ceramic, seeds, metal, or even plastic. The netting is typically hand-woven and covers the entire surface of the gourd, with the beads or seeds arranged in rows or patterns. This results in a visually striking in the form of a unique instrument, with no two shekeres being exactly the same. To play the shekere, the player holds it by the neck or the body and shake it, or hit against the palm to produce variety of sounds. The cowrie shells in the netting create rhythmic and melodic patterns by hitting the gourd as it is moved. The shekere can produce a wide range of tones, from soft and subtle to loud and vibrant, depending on how it's played.

Great addition to your percussions collection as well as decorations and a suitable as gift for your friends and family for any occasion. Made in Kenya. Available in (2) styles: Small, and Medium. See dimensions below.