A homemade percussion instrument.
A homemade percussion instrument. Children forage for small, dried wild gourds or calabash fruits that have fallen from trees. They drill a small hole into the side, insert a handful of small river pebbles, dried corn kernels, or wild seeds, and plug the hole with a carved wooden peg to create a functional rhythmic shaker.
Wherever you grew up — Kingston, Montego Bay, Brooklyn, Toronto, London, Miami — if you remember playing this, we want to hear from you. Send us your story, your photos, or an old video. Every submission helps preserve this game for the next generation.
Photos and stories may be featured on this page and across our social channels (with credit to you).