Kashaka

It originated in West Africa, but has been reproduced in various countries under different names: Patica (Japan), Kosika (USA).

[1] Kashakas create both shaking sounds and percussive clicks by swinging the balls around the hand, making them hit each other.

Learning to catch the Kashaka can be difficult at first but this enables a much larger variety of rhythms to be created.

[2] Traditionally, when the gourds dry and fall from the trees, children collect them and fill them with orange pebbles from the iron-rich soil of the Sahel.

The two gourd balls are attached to each other by a small string (sometimes made from old rags braided together), in one of two ways: How the kashaka is used, with The Kiffness 'filling out' music https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_yn8mJOU8&feature=youtu.be