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and beads too!

Gourd shakers, or Shekeres, with beads or seeds loosly strung on the outside, are very popular instruments in the Caribbean and Africa. If a Santeria ceremony is needed but they cannot afford to pay drummers, they may have a “drum and gourd ceremony”. This a ceremony where the members themselves play rhythms on different size Shekeres with only one drum, while singing the needed songs. A bass note is played by striking the bottom of the Shereke with an open palm and a shake back and forth in between. It takes practice!

Click image to hear the Shekere.