Africa Heartwood Project African Aslatua Kashaka Set 2 - Authentic Handcrafted Swawa Seed Pod Shakers, Small 1.5" Pods with 3” Rope, Traditional Polyrhythmic Percussion Instrument

The aslatua (ah-SLAH-too-uh) is a unique hand percussion instrument that will capture your attention with its tricky polyrhythm. These are the original, authentic African Aslatua Kashaka made from Swawa seed pods in Ghana. We have matched these aslatua into set pairs based on pod size and string length, which allows you to play with one in each hand at the same time. If the aslatua are not correctly matched, they will move at different speeds in your hands, making it impossible to keep time or do tricks. If you intend to create polyrhythm by playing two simultaneously, then this matching pair is for you. Available in 4 sizes. Be sure to select the right size for your hands by measuring hand width at the top of the palm at the knuckles, as this size should correspond with the aslatua’s string length. This simple instrument (also known as aslato, kashaka, cascas, televi, kasso-kassoni, and more) is played by holding one gourd in the palm while simultaneously shaking and swinging the second gourd. The seed pods come from the Swawa tree in West Africa, which are dried, hollowed, filled with pebbles, and connected with a string. You can enjoy hours of frustration and fun playing with this traditional African instrument. This instrument is covered by our warranty and features a pair of aslatua, each with two small, strong Swawa seed pods filled with tiny seeds and pebbles, securely fastened with a strong connector rope to each gourd. It can be used as a conventional egg shaker or as a polyrhythmic percussion instrument using the swing, clack, and catch technique, making it a great gift for any percussion enthusiast. Your purchase of this native instrument supports the effort of non-profit Africa Heartwood Project. By connecting with traditional world music culture, you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause—helping provide Village Water Projects and Orphan Support to West African communities in need.

• HANDCRAFTED IN GHANA: Each set of African Aslatua Kashaka is handcrafted in Ghana by skilled village artisans, ensuring authenticity and high-quality craftsmanship.
• AUTHENTIC SWAWA SEED PODS: Made from dried and hollowed Swawa tree seed pods filled with seeds and pebbles, these Kashakas deliver a distinctive and rich percussive sound, true to traditional African music.
• MULTIPLE PLAYING TECHNIQUES: Versatile as both a conventional egg shakers, asalato shaker and a polyrhythmic percussion instrument. Explore various rhythms using swing, clack, and catch techniques to enhance your musical creativity.
• MATCHED PAIR FOR POLYRHYTHM: Designed as a matching set with 3” rope, these two small Aslatua are perfectly paired for simultaneous use. This ensures consistent rhythm and sound, ideal for creating intricate and engaging polyrhythms.
• SUPPORTS A MEANINGFUL CAUSE: Your purchase of this aslatua contributes to the efforts of Africa Heartwood Project's non-profit Village Water Projets and Orphan Support Programs. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your purchase supports to a meaningful cause while also creating your connection with traditional world rhythmic culture. Every shaker sold supports the sustainable livelihoods of the many individuals and families who contributed to the making of a single instrument.