Akasa (large Ga-style netted gourd rattle): Large FREE SHIPPING

Gourd rattles with an external network strung with bead, seed, shell, or
bamboo strikers occur widely in West Africa, from the Congo/Angola region in
the south to Mali and Senegal in the north.

This offering is modeled on the akasa, a netted gourd rattle of Ghana's Ga
people. In play, the instrument is hung around the neck by means of the cord.
Like the sekere of the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin, the akasa might be
thought of as a combination rattle-drum. This is because, in addition to being
shaken as a rattle, the player also can tap the neck or shoulder of the
instrument with the fists (or fingers) to produce a drum-like sound. Another
interesting technique involves using the palm to tap the mouth of the gourd;
this results in a sound similar to that of the udu, a pot-like ceramic
instrument of Nigeria's Igbo people.

An example of one playing technique is provided in the following videos
(www.YouTube.com): "Ogbame
"Wulome Live Performance video (part 3 -- 1:12).

This model features betel nut bead strikers strung onto blue and yellow
netting (with braided upper and lower collars to prevent slippage). Dimensions:
13" h., 13" diam.