Cameroon
Cameroonian

Gourd, string, raffia seed pods
Mid 20th Century
Length: 14 in, Width: 9.5 in, Depth: 9.5 in
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

Rattles (shaken idiophones) come in a variety of types, materials, methods of playing, and create a wide range of timbre.  This dried gourd (calabash) rattle is covered with a netting in geometric design of raffia seedpods.  The neck is used as a handle. It has a nice sharp sound, a bit like wooden beads.  Calabash rattles are used particularly in rituals that involve magic and religion.  They can also be used in an ensemble that provides the accompaniment to musical entertainment.