SÈKÈRÈ

The Yorùbá people are musically inclined. Music among the Yorùbás permeates every aspect of life and culture, from cradle to death. Ritual festivals, religious and non-religious ceremonies and performances accompanied with either vocal or instrumental music are part of the regular yearly activities among the different Yòrùbá age groups, strata and kingdoms at large.

The Yòrùbás celebrate and participate in different occasions like the colourful Ọdún Egúngún and Ọdún Òrìsà festivals, Eré ìtàgé and Orin ìbílè, Egbéjodá, Ekún Ìyàwó, Arò, Ìwúyè and other musical performances.

Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀ is a Yoruba percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd.

Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀, which originated in Yoruba land, is common in West African and Latin American folkloric traditions as well as some of the popular music styles. In performance, it is shaken and/or hit against the hands.

The instrument is made from vine gourds that grow on the ground. The shape of the gourd determines the sound of the instrument. Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀ is made by drying the gourd for several months then removing the pulp and seeds. After it is scrubbed, skilful bead work is added as well as colour.

A Yorùbá adage says, “Sèkèrè kìí bá won l’ode ìbànújé” meaning “Sèkèrè- (rattles or shakers) will never attend a mournful occasion or parade”. That is to say, there are appropriate and a inappropriate contexts for the use of Sèkèrè in the numerous musical occasions and genres among the Yorùbá people.

Photo Credit:

Dewunmi Lagos