![]() Shekere | |
Percussion instrument | |
---|---|
Other names | Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀ |
Classification | Percussion |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | idiophone |
Related instruments | |
Afoxé, Abwe | |
Musicians | |
Madeleine Yayodele Nelson |
The shekere (from Yoruba Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀)[1] is a Yoruba percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd. The Shekere originated in Yorubaland, which comprises the countries of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. See Yoruba.[2] The instrument is common in West African and Latin American folkloric traditions as well as some of the popular music styles. In performance it is shaken and/or hit against the hands.
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 it is scrubbed, skillful bead work is added as well as colour.
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