This instrument is found in western Africa where it is primarily played by the women.

This instrument is an example of using everyday items as an instrument. In many African countries, the women carry food and water in vessels such as these on their heads. When they are not being used for cartage, they form an integral part of dance ceremonies performed by the women. This instrument comes from Burkina Faso.

Cowrie shells create the incredible percussive sound of this African rhythm instrument, which is made from half a large gourd, painted and carved in striking African designs.

It is played by spinning, holding in both hands and twisting back and forth, shaking or playing like a hand drum.

Another example of a woman's instrument (made with everyday items) is the water gourd. They are half gourds floated open side down in a pan of water and struck rhythmically with small sticks or hands. They are played in West Africa and in Benin their chief use is at funeral rites.

They are made from the washing gourds (kitchen sink) and eating bowls. They evolved because the women were not allowed to play the traditional drums of the men and with these instruments, they were not breaking any taboos.

Both of these instruments are quite easy to make with very little cost.

The Burkina Faso rattle can be made from a wooden salad bowl available at most supermarkets. Drill some holes to attach something to rattle against it. It does not need to be cowrie shells you could substitute them for gumnuts, seeds or beads. You might want to paint some designs on to it before you thread the rattles.

The water drum is also easy to make and is a good example of using everyday items for making sound.

All you need is a laundry bucket, (the low sided type) some bowls to float upside-down in it and some soft beaters. (Made from super balls) Let the children experiment. They will find some bowls float better than others and make differing sounds depending on their size, the amount of water in the bucket and under the floating one and how hard the beater is.