Africa Heartwood Project Axatse Gourd Shaker - Maraca, Rumba Shekere - 6" X 12"

This gourd shaker is traditionally known as the axatse (ah-HOT-say) in Ghana, and is also known more generically as a shekere (SHEH-kuh-ray). Each dry, hollow calabash is hand selected for thickness and proportion, then dressed with a lattice work of Job's Tear Seeds. The axatse can be played like a maraca, by gently tugging on the blue rope ends, by swirling or twisting the seed net, or with more intricate double handed techniques. The axatse differs from the Afro-Cuban shekere in that it is smaller and does not produce a bass note when the top of the gourd is struck.

Handmade, authentic shaker made in Ghana Strong gourd body and handle, hollow and dried Whole natural seed beads intricately labrynthed in web of bright blue string Hand crafted in Africa by village cultural artisans supported by the non-profit Africa Heartwood Project World Percussion USA is the only authorized seller of Africa Heartwood Project instruments on this marketplace. All other sellers of this item are NOT selling the product described in this listing!