Maracas: Chad musical instrument

The maracas that are sometimes called the rumba shakers are a native percussion musical instrument of the Latin America. The instrument is usually played in pairs. They made up of a dried calabash or gourd shell or coconut shell that is filled with seeds or dried beans. The instrument may also be produced of leather, wood or even a plastic. Normally, one ball is pitched high and the other is pitched low. There is a proof of clay maracas thast is used by the native of Colombia about 1500 years ago. The word maraca is, though to have originated from tupi language of Brazil where it is pronounced as this,”marakah”. They are in known in Trinidad as shac-shac. The leather instrument was introduced in the 1955 by the Venezuelan percussionist known as Pan conQueso. Although a simple instrument but the method of playing the the maracas is not difficult. The seed of the instrument which can also be dried beans must travel some distance before they get to the leather, wood, or the plastic, so the player of the instrument must have to think of the rhythm. The player of this instrument can strike the maraca against his hand or his leg to get a different sound while he is playing the instrument.

source: musicwithease.com

 The maracas are heard in many types of Latin music and are also used in pop music and classical music as well.  They are taken as the defining feature of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Jamaica and Brazil. This musical instrument is always played in special events and celebrations.