Southern Kenya
Digo

Reeds, seeds, fiber string
Late-Mid 20th Century
Length: 9 inches
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

This kayamba is mat or raft rattle that comes from the Digo people of southern Kenya. It consists of reeds bound together to make two rafts, with seeds called meto, or small beads called chorok or podzo, enclosed between them.  It is held by the fingers of both hands and is flung back and forth so the thumbs can beat our accents on the outsides of the rafts.  The Kayamba is found throughout Kenya and Tanzania.  They come in two basic shapes, rectangular or hexagonal.  They are mainly used to accompany dances.