The Shekere

Thomas Altmann, 2005

The shekere (chekere) is a percussion instrument that is made from a dried and hollowed calabash gourd (span. güíra), which has been cut at the neck and is equipped with a mesh with inserted beads, shells or pods. The shekere originates in West Africa and is used by the Yoruba in Nigeria, where it is also called agbe. However, the mesh of the Nigerian abge is closed under the bottom of the gourd, while the bottom of the Cuban-style shekere has an uncovered spot to be struck with the right hand, with the left hand holding the instrument loosely at its neck (applies to right-handed players). Additionally, the shekere is moved back and forth between the right and the left hand as a shaker.
The shekere is played in Cuba at bembe ceremonies in sets of three, accompanied by a hoe blade struck with a metal rod (guataca) and usually a soloing conga drum. But the shekere is much wider applicable in modern styles of music.