What's shakin'?

Shakers -  We offer many different types.

Axatse - A double-bulb (the smaller bulb serves as a handle) African gourd shaker covered with a beaded-string net. We offer three bead types: Plastic (most popular for its loud timbre) Job's Tear (natural hard seed), and Long Seed. Each gourd is hand-picked for its roundness and long handle. A hole is cut in one end and the fibrous material and seeds are removed. The remaining hard, thin gourd shell resonates differently depending on the bead type used by the maker. These are handcrafted in Africa by experts; each one is a small work of art. For more information on the Axatse, click here.

Long Seed Axatse (3 shown)

Double and Special Plastic Bead Axatse (4 shown)

Caxixi (pronounced "ka-SHE-she"). Handwoven basket-type shakers/rattles with seeds or pebbles inside and gourd bottoms that produce most of the sound. Played in pairs or one at a time, caxixi can produce a wide range of sounds depending on size, filler material, and the density or thickness of the gourd bottom. The cane baskets are dyed with a variety of interesting natural dyes (indigo, etc.). One caxixi, two caxixi, three caxixi, now you're shakin'! A Motherland favorite gift for that "percussionist who has everything."

Caxixi from Benin (9", 5" front & left; 7" Double, rear & right)

Caxixi from Ghana (3", 4" Single, front & left; 5" Single, 4" Double, rear & right)

Palm Frond Shaker - Folded palm leaf strips with small seeds inside each compartment are strung together on sturdy nylon cord. Wrapped around the arm or leg of a dancer or drummer, this shaker/rattle adds a subtle, pleasant rhythmic accompaniment to the wearer's movements. Approximately 20" long. 3.00 per strip. This is arguably both a rattle and shaker (depdending upon how the dancer moves or how it is played by hand).

Shakers/Maracas -  We offer several different African types.

Gourd Maraca - This is a very simple shaker consisting of a gourd filled with seeds, either alone or mounted on a wood stick. Its sound is similar to "regular" maracas as most percussionists are familiar with them (from Latin America). Decorated with Adinkra symbol. Made in Ghana, west Africa.

Gourd Ball Maraca (left) - 8.00 each, Gourd Maraca on Stick (right—this item currently out of stock, sorry) - 10.00 each

Gourd Maraca, Covered-Wire Handle - This is a nice, lightweight traditional African Maraca with a sound that represents the type of very popular instrument imitated in Spain and Latin America. Good for both ceremonial and popular music, the timbre is mellow and dry (unlike synthetic imitations). The fiber-covered wire handle is semi-flexible and easy on the hands. Please note that maracas of this type (made from gourds, which vary in sonic properties by nature and are not pitch-paired) are sold individually. If you request a matched pair when ordering more than one, we'll try to accomodate.

 Gourd Maraca (with fiber-covered wire handle; 2 shown) - 10.00 each

Gita - The Gita is a calabash bowl with shells tied to its outer edge, traditionally played by women in Africa (in dances representing their traditional role carrying produce to the marketplace). Held with both hands and twisted back and forth, the shells or beads clack against the hard bowl to make a jangling rhythm. It can also be placed on the player's lap (cut side down) and plopped like a coconut shell or played with fingers or mallets (like a water drum), producing a full, hollow thump tone.

Goat Toe Rattle - Cleaned and dried goat hoofs (aka "toes" but they're actually goat toenails) produce a shake-shake sound. Made either attached to a cloth band with hook and loop fastener (aka Velcro^®), or strung loosely on the end of a wood stick.

Goat Toe Rattles on Cloth Band, left and front; on Wood Stick, right rear. (All 3 types currently out of stock, sorry.)

Ideh - Nickel-sized seed shells attached to a palm fiber belt or wood handle. Used as an arm or leg rattle, they produce a subtle, sprinkling sound. These seeds grow mainly in the eastern region of Nigeria. The Ideh rattle is used by dancers in traditional and masquerade dances. For more information about Ideh (larger seed) and Idi (smaller seed) rattles, click here.

Idi - More than 100 seed shells attached to a woven palm leaf fiber band. Used as an arm or leg rattle, these seeds produce a wonderfully soft rainstick sound. Slightly smaller seeds than the Ideh rattles, each Idi seed is roughly peanut-sized. These musical rattles are commonly used in eastern Nigeria. For more information about Ideh and Idi rattles, click here.

Kpoko-Kpoko - Double-bell hand-carved Wooden Bell Rattle from eastern Nigeria. This instrument produces a very unique wood clattering/rattling sound. These are traditionally used by herbalists and in masquerade dances. For more about Kpoko-Kpoko rattles, click here. Available in Plain (no decorative carving on the bell exterior) or "Design" (with decorated exterior carving).

Double-ended (2 bells) is standard. We also offer a plain 8" Single-Bell Kpoko for 10.00.

Kpoko-Kpoko (3 sizes) [8" Plain style Double-Bell bottom left]

Palm Frond Rattle - See Palm Frond Shaker, above.

Peru Seed Rattle - We aren't sure of the name of the fruit from which the seed pods used inside these rattles are derived, but they are definitely from Peru in South America. They're grouped in hand-held bunches of approx. 10-12 pods per rattle, and sewn on a colorful cloth band. It's a nice mellow, non-overpowering rattle sound. 10.00 each..

Televi - Televi / Kosika / Kashaka - Known by many names, this is a simple musical instrument played by children and adults in West Africa. Two small pods (gourds) are filled with seeds and attached to both ends of a flexible cord. In playing, one of the pods is held in the palm with the cord going between the first and middle fingers and over the thumb. The other pod is flipped over the top of the hand and caught in the back of the palm with the little finger. It makes a clacking sound when the two pods contact, and a shaker sound (more natural than western plastic "egg shakers") when shaken. You can learn how to play this instrument here.

Televi (Medium, left & front; Large, rear) - Medium - 8.00/pair, Large - 10.00/pair

Y-Rattle - Made with a round cane or rattan material. Flattened bottle caps are used for the jingles. Makes a light metallic tambourine sound. They are easy to hold and play. Based on the ancient sistrum rattle found in Egypt and still played today in East Africa. 10.00 each

Y-Rattle

Togo Seed Rattle - About 3/8" thick and 2" across, these hollow brown seed husks make a hard clacking sound, like horses hooves on pavement. There are always twelve of these husks found in a long bean pod. Each one is removed and dried; later, one end is cut and a hard gum is pulled from the inside of each seed.  Made into bunches with a string handle or attached to a woven grass belt. Dancers in Togo (and elsewhere) tie belts of these seeds around their waists to create a rhythmic effect while singing and dancing. For more information about these rattles, click here.

Wasamba Rattle (aka Clack-Clack) - comprised of approx. 2" diameter disc-shaped gourd pieces mounted on a spindle that is connected to a smooth wood handle. Also called a gourd sistrum. Very easy to play, this instrument gained popularity in the disco era of the 1970s because it sounds like hand claps, especially when several are played in unison (in the same simple rhythm).15.00 each

Wasamba Rattle (aka Clack-Clack)