A twisting wrist motion is used so that the gourd moves while beads remain in place causing friction and sound different than when the instrument is simply shaken or struck.

The shekere originated in Yorubaland West Africa, which comprises the countries of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.

Other names for the instrument include afuxê, afoxé, cabaca, cabasa, and cabaza depending on the language and culture.

In Cuba, the chekeré, also known as aggué (abwe), is a large, hollow gourd (~50 cm long, approx.

It consists of the gourd (cabaça) cut in the middle and then wrapped in a net in which beads or small plastic balls are threaded.