The cabasa, similar to the shekere, is a percussion instrument that is constructed with loops of steel ball chain wrapped around a wooden cylinder.

The metal cabasa was created by Martin Cohen, founder of Latin Percussion.

The African original version of the cabasa is called agbe, and is constructed from dried oval or pear-shaped gourds with beads strung on the outer surface.

The cabaça is a natural or synthetic round or pear-shaped gourd covered with a network of beads and finishing in a single handle.

[2] The instrument is frequently used in music therapy, particularly with individuals who have physical/neurological disabilities as it requires minimal hand movement to produce a sound.