MusiLLection

A pair of traditional maracas, illustrating their classic gourd-based form. Maracas , almost always played in pairs, are among the most characteristic percussion instruments of Latin American music. Their soft rustling sound and flexible rhythmic articulation often mirror the dancers’ movements themselves, making the instrument as visual as it is sonic. The earliest maracas—today often grouped under the broader category of shakers —were made from dried gourds. When shaken, the seeds naturally contained inside produced sound. Over time, makers refined the instrument by hollowing out the gourds, scraping their interiors, and filling them with selected seeds, pebbles, or gravel to achieve greater control over tone and projection. Gourds were frequently chosen for their shape, as a natural neck could serve as a handle. Cuban maracas, reflecting regional craftsmanship and rhythmic tradition. Maracas belong to the family of “hollow rattles” and are among the oldest known musical instrument...