Sekere – which is also known as axatse or a rattle is made out of a gourd of calabash fruit. The calabash and gourd fruit has a naturally bulbous shape and a curved shaft, which is used as a handle. The fruit is hollowed out of a small hole, which is cut in the top leaving the hard wood like exterior. String is then woven around the sekere in a fishnet design. In years gone past glass beads were added to the net but in more modern times plastic beads are used. The sound of the sekere is made by it being struck on the palm of the hand or the thigh. It adds a melodious sound to the music being played and reinforces the rhythm. This is a wonderful African percussion instrument.