A maraca (), sometimes called shaker or chac-chac, is a

rattle Rattle may refer to: Instruments * Crotalus (liturgy), a liturgical percussion instrument * Rattle (percussion instrument), a type of percussion instrument * Rattle (percussion beater), a part of some percussion instruments * Ratchet (instrume ...

which appears in many genres of

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and Latin music. It is shaken by a handle and usually played as part of a pair. Maracas (from Guaraní ), also known as tamaracas, were rattles of divination, an oracle of the Brazilian Tupinamba people, found also with other Indigenous ethnic groups, such as the Guarani,

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and in Florida. Rattles made from '' Lagenaria'' gourds are being shaken by the natural grip, while the round '' Crescentia'' calabash fruits are fitted to a handle. Human hair is sometimes fastened on the top, and a slit is cut in it to represent a mouth, through which their shamans (''payes'') made it utter its responses. A few pebbles are inserted to make it rattle and it is crowned with the red feathers of the ( scarlet ibis). Every man had his maraca. It was used at their dances and to heal the sick. Andean

curandero A ''curandero'' (, healer; f. , also spelled , , f. ) is a traditional native healer or shaman found primarily in Latin America and also in the United States. A curandero is a specialist in traditional medicine whose practice can either contra ...

s (healers) use maracas in their healing rites. Modern maraca balls are also made of leather, wood or plastic. A maraca player in Spanish is a .

Gallery

File:Maracas player at Bonnaroo 2008 festival.jpg,

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playing two pairs of maracas File:Guarani shaman.JPG, Guarani shaman holding cross and maraca File:Maraca 01 del Baile de los Toritos de Chichicastenango.JPG, A maraca used by the knights of Toritos de Chichicastenango, danced for the feast of Saint Thomas, around December 21. Each maraca is unique and made specially for each year

References

External links

* {{Authority control Venezuelan musical instruments South American percussion instruments Central American and Caribbean percussion instruments Orchestral percussion instruments Vessel rattles Hand percussion Unpitched percussion instruments