112.13

Chekere, gourd vessel rattle.

The chekere is an Afro-Cuban rattle, which is used primarily in religious ceremonies. This example originates from Matanzas, an area that retains a number of African traditions. This instrument was purchased from Mr. Roberto Vizcaino, a Cuban musician with the Cuban jazz group Gonzalo Rubalcaba y Grupo Projecto, which came to the UK to play at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London at the end of May 1988. Mr Vizcaino acquired the chekere from a friend who used it in religious ceremonies. It accompanied devotional songs in the Yoruba language of Nigeria, dedicated to the Orisha or deity Shango, who has power over thunder and lightning.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
M3-1988
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 335 x 261 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
gourd; fIint; seed
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
LOCATION
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Collection Information

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