What is this thing? -- Ruby (Red) Tuesday -- The answer

Technically, it is a Cuban instrument called Shekere.

Our church bought the one in my blog (below) to play along with the percussions. Mrs. Jim said they played this Sunday but she did not know that I would need to have information for the blog.

From the City of Marinette, Wisconsin, Web site, here is their blurb:

"Shekere: Like many instruments on this page the shekere is a transplant of the African slaves brought to the Americas during the slave trade. The shekere was used primarily as solo instrument in religious ceremonies, but is now common in many genres of music.

"The Shekere is a dried gourd which is cleaned out and covered with a skirt of beads. When the gourd is played right it will produce a loud bas tone along with the sound of the beads." (page from city Web site)

Link if the Mini Xequerê video doesn't play for you here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UJfqA-yNWk

Quite a few of you thought it might be a gourd. That is correct. I do know how you would know the name unless you were familiar with these. I learned a lot about music makers made from gourds.

Most either rattle or are beaten or both, like the Shereke has both sounds. The rattle is a loud rustling of the beads. The one I posted should sell for around $50. Ours could also be a Xequerê from Brazil. Our music minister knows the answer to this question and also where we got it. Probably NOT Cuba.