Description

This gourd shaker is traditionally known as the axatse (ah-HA-chay) 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. An excellent way to teach rhythm and culture.

• After import from West Africa each instrument is cleaned, tuned, and inspected for quality before shipping
• 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