Can't remember what it is called? Please help - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

michelle · 01-30-2008, 01:24 PM

While we were in St. John's Antigua we shopped on the streets and bought my son a musical instrument of some sort. It is long and kinda curved. it is something natural and the beans or seeds are still inside. You shake it, or tap on your hand to make it work.

They are brownish in colour and some things are painted on them such as antigua flag etc. They are shalacked as well.

Anyway we bought 3 one for my son, one for my husband, and one for my son's kindergarden class. But before I send it to school I would like to know what it is called or made of.

Can anyone help me, or give a suggestion of where I may find this out?

Thanks in advance.

Krazy Kruizers · 01-30-2008, 01:41 PM

Sounds like a variety of a Calabash -- yes those are seeds inside. A calabash is a type of gourd.

Welcome to CLF.

Please stop by the: Introduce Yourself! section.

michelle · 01-31-2008, 04:58 PM

Thank you for your response.

However I am not sure it is gourd. My description my not have been accurate. It isn't really gourd shaped.

It is about 18 inches long and 1-1 1/2 inches thick, shaped kinda like a banana or a boomarang. However not a huge bend and they aren't all bent, some are more straight.

zydecocruiser · 01-31-2008, 08:57 PM

???

michelle · 02-01-2008, 11:44 AM

Yes that looks like it!
Of course once it is dried it is brown in colour instead of green.
What is this called?

zydecocruiser · 02-01-2008, 03:28 PM

A tree with many names.

Delonix regia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Delonix regia. Flamboyant seed pod. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Char · 02-01-2008, 04:12 PM

To quote from Wikipedia:

Quote:

The seed pods of the Royal Poincianas are used in the Caribbean as a percussion instrument known as the shak-shak or maraca.

michelle · 02-04-2008, 01:04 PM

Thank you so much everyone for your help. This exactly what it is!
I will be sending the info with my son on Wednesday and I hope his class enjoys the instrument!

Thank you again

Char · 02-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle

Thank you so much everyone for your help. This exactly what it is!
I will be sending the info with my son on Wednesday and I hope his class enjoys the instrument!

Thank you again

Our pleasure