These zapote fruit seeds from Central America are sewn onto a leather band
and come in pairs. Used as a musical instrument by the native people of the
Americas, ayoyotl attach to the ankles and produce a rhythmic sound when
used for dancing.
A hand held model made with seed pods attached to a stick is also available.
This single-stringed instrument is originally from India. Traditionally used by town criers to announce news or tell stories, the gopichan is made with a gourd, wood, rawhide and steel string attached to a tuning peg. Sound is relaxed when squeezing the long wooden neck, producing an eerie eastern sound. String can be replaced with any size guitar string; thinner string works best. Size: Approximately 36" high X 6" gourd.
The body of the kalimba, or thumb piano, is made of a gourd; the top of cherry, walnut or mahogany wood. Its steel keys can be tuned to most scales, according to preference. The kalimba is tuned by slightly loosening the screws on top of the metal bridge, then moving the key up or down until you reach the desired note. Traditionally, kalimbas are played in complex rhytms and melodies or to accompany singers and other instruments. You can create your own style with regular practice and imagination. Its metal keys are played with the thumbs, while the index fingers cover and uncover the holes on the side of the instrument. Size: 4" to 6" keyboards and 2" to 4" high. Shapes vary.
Although their exact origin is unknown, rainsticks have been attributed to African, Central and South American, and Asian cultures. This popular and unique instrument can be played by anyone on the first try. They are made of specially selected bamboo poles that are cut and cured. When tipped at an angle, they produce the magical sounds of a rainforest, a waterfall, or a rolling stream. They are excellent for rhythms, special effects, movement, or meditation. Sirius Coyote rainsticks are of the highest quality. Traditional crafting methods prevent cracking and insect damage. Rainsticks should have a periodic application of furniture oil in order to prevent cracking and maintain a lustrous finish, and should be stored in a cool, dry place. Size: From 1" to 4" in diameter and 12" to 75" long.
Ocarinas are single, double, or triple clay flutes molded on replicas of
original Mayan and Aztec pieces found in Mexican and Mesoamerican archeological
excavations. their ancient playing style was lost to colonization and religious
syncretism. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and do not have a
standard tuning, giving each a unique sound.
Our ocarinas are created by Mexican artisans using traditional techniques.
Sizes: From 2" to 7" long and 1" to 4" wide.
The shekere is acrisp sounding rattle made in traditional African style--a
macrame weaving of beads on a dried,
long-necked or bottle gourd. Size and shapes vary according to gourds.
This musical bow originated in Africa and was brought to the Brazilian
plantations by slave workers who secretly preserved traits of their African
culture. The berimbau was used to accompany dancing and storytelling as
a disguise for Capoeira, a form of martial arts which uses the berimbau as
a cue for changes in movement. Today, Capoeira is gaining popularity in
the United States and is said to be the origin of modern break dancing.
The berimbau is played by pressing the string with a flat stone or coin
held in the left hand, which changes the pitch of the instrument. The string
is then struck by a stick held in the right hand. It has a unique sound
and produces complex rhythms and special sound effects. The bow and gourd
can be decorated in traditional or original designs, painting and wood burning
the most common. Custom designs can be applied, so please inquire! A flat
stone (about the size of a silver dollar) and a stick are included with
each berimbau.
Size: 4' to 5' tall, gourds vary in size.
One of the most ancient musical instruments, the counch shell trumpet can be found all over the globe and traced back thousands of years in civilization. By blowing into the open end of the shell, the conch produces a sound similar to a French horn. The conch shell trumpet can be used to initiate a gathering of people or a ceremony. With practice, the advanced player can produce a full musical scale. Sirius Coyote uses only hand-picked commercial shells, and has a limited number to choose from.
Sirius Coyote's Multi-Cultural Workshops
Visit our Ecovillage in Mexico