Axatse is the name of this rattle or idiophone. It is constructed by hollowing out a gourd or calabash. Then beads are attached to it with some string which is woven around it in a fishnet style design. The function of axatse is to reinforce the gankogui rhythm. It also adds some color to the music. The number of people who play this instrument in a traditional performance of Atsiã is usually around four or five. The rhythm that Axatse plays in Atsiã is demonstrated above. The upstrokes are written on the higher space and the downstrokes are written on the lower space.



axatse gankogui kaganu kidi sogo atsmevu
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