Kenya
Kenyan

Wood, reeds, seeds, fiber glue
Early 21st Century
Outside diameter: 5.75 in; Inside diameter: 4 in; Depth: 2.75 in
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

This kayamba is a hexagonal-shaped raft rattle that comes from 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.  The reeds are supported by two wooden frames with burnt geometric designs, built in a hexagonal shape. The Kayamba is found throughout Kenya and Tanzania.  They come in two basic shapes, rectangular or hexagonal.  They are played by placing one hand into the opening and holding the center bar and shaking the instrument, or by holding the center bar in one hand and taping the palm of the other hand or other parts or the body with the instrument. The Kayamba is mainly used to accompany dances and sometimes used to accompany church songs.