Kashakas

✨✨✨

two small gourds with a 3 inch black string tied between them

I have been amazed by the ingenuity behind the invention of many instruments, but the Kashakas (AKA Asalatos) are a particularly good example of this. How on Earth did someone figure out this would be such a great way to make music? Originating in West Africa, they are traditionally made from two small gourds filled with beans and connected by a string, and one of these is held in each hand. Noise results from the shaking of the beans, as well as the clicking of the colliding gourds. The possibilities for creating different polyrhythms with these simple objects are seemingly endless.

How to Obtain

Kashakas (AKA Asalatos) can be found online for roughly $20. They can be made from gourds, wood, cork, or other materials. Inexpensive kashakas can be purchased or made at home using ping pong balls.

How to Learn

Learning to play the Kashakas is a great opportunity for anyone looking to expand their capacity for patience. 😊 To learn at first is kind of like playing a difficult game of ball-and-cup. But, once you get the motion into your hands, it is like riding a bike. The key is to keep a consistent back and forth arm motion going at all times, no matter what. You must isolate finger motions to catch and release the balls, all within the context of this steady movement. I have not yet found any Youtube videos on how to play the Kashakas that I fully endorse. However, these three are helpful: