maracas

Maracas are percussion instruments consisting of hollow shells, usually dried gourds, filled with seeds, beads, or small stones and attached to a handle. The shells are shaped into spheres or oblate forms and are connected to a short handle, enabling two hands to hold a pair. Maracas are an idiophone: their sound arises from the contents moving within the shell as it is shaken. Modern versions may use plastic or wood shells with synthetic fillings, but they retain the same basic rattling character.

To play, the musician shakes the pair with wrist and forearm movement, producing a rattling texture. Variations in shake speed, amplitude, and the spacing of accents create rhythmic patterns that complement other percussion. Because the pitch is not fixed, maracas contribute a high, bright timbre and a flexible rhythmic texture rather than a defined melody.

Maracas originated in the Caribbean and Latin American musical traditions and are widely used in folk, dance, and popular music. They appear in many genres, including salsa, merengue, samba, cumbia, and regional folk ensembles. In the 20th century they gained international recognition through tropical, Latin, and world music, and are commonly used in school music programs for rhythm training.