The Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀ is a type of percussion instrument, this one is made of a dried and hallowed gourd that has been painted and sealed. Each gourd has been hand decorated with beads and cowries and filled with dried rice or beans.
What’s Included
(1) Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀
Origin: Cuba
Cultural Note
Throughout the African continent there are similar rattle percussion instruments. The rattle is a sacred instrument throughout Africa. It is used in dances and religious ceremonies, particularly in the worship of the òrìṣà (Divine Forces of Nature). In ancient times the rattle was often exclusively carried by women or musical priestesses for ritualistic practices, except for festivals when the king would use the rattle in order to present something to the òrìṣà. The sounds made by the percussive instrument along with the rhythm of the music is largely important for its calling upon of deities, as the repetitive sound aids in ritual healing and to alter reality. The rattle is also used outside of a religious context for other music, dancing.
