Axatse Gourd Rattles
African Rattles Of The
Ewe People

African gourd rattles of the Ewe
people
The Axatse is one of many types of gourd rattles in Africa.
The material is easily available here and lends itself very well for
musical
instruments.
The makers spend hours working on the net that covers the
hallowed-out gourd. One by one, they attach dried seeds to it
(or also colorful plastic beads in recent years).
The result is a very beautiful, fun and versatile African musical
instrument.
Origin
This shaker is an instrument of the Ewe people, who live in the Volta
Region of
Ghana
and
in neighboring Togo.
It
always accompanies traditional
Ewe drumming
ensembles.
It's Role In The Ensemble
The dry, high-pitched and pretty loud sound of this instrument drives
and spices up Ewe music. It's rhythm repeats itself without changes
during the whole length of a traditional piece and is closely
connected to the bell pattern of the
Gankogui.
The role of this African rattle is to support and reinforce the bell,
which
provides the timeline for the whole ensemble.
Playing Technique

Axatse players in an Ewe ensemble
In an Ewe ensemble, about four or five rattle players are
usually seated in a
row in front of the drummers.
(I don't know if it's on purpose, but I noticed that it's usually older
men playing this shaker. And they always look so stylish playing!)
Holding the calabash's natural
handle in their strong hand, they simultaneously
strike
their rattles against their thighs (producing the sound "pa")
and against their week hands (producing the sound "ti").
Other
Ghanaian tribes have discovered this Ewe instrument as well.
But
they usually just mark the beat by shaking the rattle in the
air
or by holding the handle in one hand while pulling the net with the
other.
Want to discover more African percussion instruments like these rattles? Then please visit my
percussion
instruments page.