Simple strokes of sand hammer

The sand hammer is a rocking body sound instrument , also known as maracas. A rhythmic percussion instrument originating from South American Indians. The traditional maracas uses a spherical dry gourd, which is filled with some dry hard seeds or gravels. The original slender neck of the gourd is used as the handle. When it is shaken, the hard grains hit the gourd wall and make a sound. There are also sand mallets made of wood, pottery, rattan and plastic with similar shapes, containing beads, lead shot and other objects. Usually one is held in each hand.