1. Shekere
The Shekere is a musical instrument from West Africa. It is a dried gourd with beads
woven into a net of sorts that completely covers the gourd. The gourds come from vines that
grow in the ground in Africa and are made by drying the gourd for a long period of time and
then removing the pulp and seeds that are found inside the gourd. Each Shekere is unique for
the size of it determines the sound it makes and they vary greatly in size. The instrument is
used in traditional ceremonies and various types of religious worship (Ortiz, Fernando 1952).
The Shekere is also just a popular instrument that is used in secular African music as well.
Adults use this instrument a lot but African children very often use this instrument as a toy and
just make noise with it like an American child often makes noise with a recorder when growing
up. The shekere is a very unique instrument and is enjoyed by adults as an instrument and
children as a toy.
