How to Make Shekere Gourds

The gourd for your sekere can come in any size or shape.

Shekeres, also spelled sekeres, are gourds covered in a beaded "skirt" that people use as percussion instruments or for decoration. These instruments originated in Africa. You can play them by banging the sides with one or two hands. You can also shake the shekere to make noise with the beads. Use any size gourd if you wish to set the shekere somewhere for display, but avoid the long swan neck version if making an instrument.

Things You'll Need

• Gourd
• Teaspoon
• Knife
• Beads
• Nylon utility cord
• Newspapers
• 3-lb. shellac
• Lighter
• String

Instructions

1. Select a dried gourd that has a thick shell and does not have any weak spots or holes. Smacking the side causes a deep thunking sound if the gourd has a thick shell. Wash off any mold or ugly skin.

2. Cut the top off with a straight line. Tilted cuts are acceptable for decorative shekeres, but a straight cut and wide opening are necessary for a shekere to produce a good tone when played.

3. Clean out the inside of the gourd. Go outside if possible. Scrape out the seeds and the insides using a teaspoon as you would a pumpkin before carving.

4. Spread newspapers on the floor and place your gourd on the paper. Pour 3-pound shellac or tung oil on the inside of the gourd to seal it. Roll the gourd around on the newspaper so that the sealant spreads around on the inside. Turn the gourd sideways to allow any extra sealant to drip out of the neck. Wipe the outside clean. Allow the gourd to dry for one day in the sunlight and then repeat the sealing procedure twice.

5. Make a foundation ring around the neck of the gourd. Place a piece of nylon utility cord around the top of the gourd, heat the two ends with a lighter and then weld the ends together. This creates a ring to hang the vertical strings of the skirt from.

6. Tie the vertical strings for your skirt around the foundation ring. Place three beads on two vertical strands and slide them up to the top. Hold the beads in place by tying a knot below them. Continue sliding the beads on the strings three at a time until you cover the strings. Tie a knot off on the end and then start the next string. Alternating rows of two colored beads is a simple, pleasing pattern, but you can be as elaborate as you want.

7. Gather the ends of the vertical strings together and tie them together using the ends of the strings.

Tips & Warnings

• The length of the strings depends on the size of your gourd. You can use plastic beads, glass beads or wooden beads. The size of the beads, number of beads and color of the beads all depend on the size of your gourd and the design that you choose.