The wasembe rattle creates a very loud, high pitch, striking sound when the gourd slices clack together. Versions of this instrument exist all throughout Africa, known by different names, including ratatak, telewasa, and wasaumba. It is played with quick downward motions, causing the gourd slices to move up and down the connector stick, clacking together to make a sharp percussive sound.
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An abstract bird like head adorns the top of this instrument. Four large and two small gourd discs are pierced through the center and move up and down on a thin 8 inch long dowel which angles out 45° from the lower staff like 20 inch dowel.
From the collection of Valerie Barnard Webster.
Height: 20 ¼" x Depth: 8 ½".
The largest gourd slice is 4 ½" in diameter.
