The early shekere was made of gourds or coconuts and originated from Africa. The calabash gourd is used for a variety of instruments that are similar in sound to the cabasa. The Afuche Cabasa was created by LP to make a more durable product.

If you take a look at an African Shekere you will understand how the instrument evolved into what we now call the cabasa.

Currently many manufacturers make the cabasa from more traditional versions like the LP Cabasa.

This is a traditional LP Cabasa - LP 480

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Cabasa	Latin Percussion	Afuche Cabasa

To what we see in in this patent from 1968 which shows the hand held version and what we commonly see today and call the cabasa.

Here is the Martin B Cohen Cabasa Patent filed on July 11, 1968 and patented on July 21, 1970.

Besides new materials and modifications to the sound chamber the cabasa has not changed much over the years. Other improvements to the accessories have come a long way from stand mounted holders to a very unique foot pedal version that is made my Meinl

If you are looking to purchase a cabasa then please use our shopping page to begin your search. Remember also that manufacturers have different size cabasas so pick one that you think will work best for you and the playing you will be doing.

The Drum Experts