Zimbabwe
Shona

Maranka gourd, seeds
Mid 20th Century
Length: 15 inches
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

The hosho are used to accompany Shona music,  and play several key roles in Zimbabwean music.  They consist of a pair of maranka, (mapudzi) gourds with hota (Canna indica) seeds inside. The hosho are used as a major instrument in many traditional Shona music genres, such as in mbira ensembles and in ‘mhande.’   The ‘mhande’ dance is a spiritual expression that personifies Karanga culture.

Before the hota seeds are added, the hosho is boiled in salted water and the inside is scraped out. Removing the debris inside the hosho allows for a more sharp and percussive tone.  The stem serves as a hooked handle for easy grasp. The playing of the Hosho is a delicate art and it can ruin good Mbira playing, or redeem bad Mbira playing.  There are many different styles of playing the Hoshos, and it is always responsible for  regulating the tempo of the Mbira.