Description The shekere is a centuries-old West African percussion shaker made from a hollowed, dried calabash gourd wrapped in a hand-woven bead net. Celebrated across the region, from Senegal to Nigeria, it sits at the heart of Ewe music in Ghana, where it’s known as the axatse (also called djabara in Mali and Guinea). Artisans string small beads onto strong twine, creating a responsive net that strikes the gourd as you play. Light fingertip rolls yield a crisp, sandy shimmer, while fuller wrist motions release deep, earthy swells. Looking for more West African shakers? Explore our full collection of handcrafted instruments. Watch & listen the shekere in action
