The Shak Shak or the maracas is a well-known musical instrument in Grenada. It can be seen in use alongside drums, steelpan or guitars.
Origin:
The Shak Shak is made from hollow gourds or small calabashes. Inside of the Shak Shak are dried seeds. The Shak Shak has a short wooden handle. It is sometimes painted or it can be unpainted.
Sound:
The Shak Shak has a distinct sound. Typically, two Shak Shaks are used together to make a complementary sound. On rare occasions, only one Shak Shak is used.
Where can be seen:
The Shak Shak can be seen in use on these occasions:
Parang festival - Shak Shak can be used alongside string band instruments played by Parang bands on the sister isles of Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
Church choirs - Shak Shak are used as a musical instrument by church choirs, regardless of the religion.
Steelpan orchestras - The Shak Shak forms part of the musical instruments of the steelpan orchestra. There is usually one player in the back of the orchestra, playing a Shak Shak.
Other information:
Young children can have a toy Shak Shak to play with in the formative years.
Source: The Shak-Shak in the Lesser Antilles by Daniel Crawford
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