Rattle (Shekere)

Shona Gourd Rattle - Hosho (2)

Zimbabwe
Shona

Gourd with Wrapped Fiber, Pebbles
ca. Mid-20th century

Length: 17 inches
Idiophone - Struck Indirectly - Shaken

Shona "Hosho" gourd rattle. Hoshos in their original and traditional form, are made from the dried and emptied hollow pods of mapudzi (a species of butternut) consisting of the empty head which is then packed with a number of specially selected pebbles, and a hooked handle for easy grasp. The Hosho and the Mbira are as synonymous as a foot and a sock, and into each other, the Hosho and the Mbira fit like a hand into a glove. The playing of the Hosho is a delicate art and it can ruin good Mbira if poorly played or it can redeem bad Mbira if well played. There are many different styles of playing the Hoshos which of course, are played in pairs. Besides being the flagship percussion instrument in the Mbira Music World, the Hosho is responsible for regulating the tempo of the Mbira.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-217-23

© Hartenberger World Music Collection