Music Around the World Maracas are simple percussion instruments usually played in pairs, consisting of a dried gourd shell filled with seeds or dried beans. They may also be made of leather, wood, or plastic. The word maraca is thought to have come from the Tupi language of Brazil, where it is pronounced 'ma-ra-KAH'. Info about Maracas The history of the maracas is best traced through the artwork of pre-Columbian Indians, especially the tribes in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Paraguay. The word maraca is believed to have been given to the instrument by the Araucanian people of central Chile. It is used for all gourd rattles although some also have more specific names. Today, we maracas are used in many types of Latin music Including Latin jazz, and dance music such as Samba, Salsa, and Mambo. The Bongos -Made up of a set of two very small drums attached by a thick piece of wood -Played while held between the knees -They are traditionally played by striking the heads with the fingers Bagpipes are a class of musical instruments called aerophones, which use internal reeds. The name bagpipe is assumed with its best-known form, the Great Highlands Bagpipe. QuickTime™ and a Motion JPEG OpenDML decompressor are needed to see this picture. Finger Cymbals Zils (also zills or finger cymbals) are tiny Cymbals used in Belly Dancing and similar performances. The word zil in Turkish means "cymbal". The Zarb or Tonbak The Tonbak is the chief percussion instrument of Persian art music, though it is used in Persian folk music too. The didgeridoo is an instrument with a history as deep and subtle as its sound. It is native to certain indigenous Aboriginal tribes who have occupied Australia’s Northern Territory for at least 40,000 years. An interesting technique called circular breathing must be used when playing this instrument - the performer exhales into the instrument while inhaling through the nose, and continually repeats the process to make a steady flow of air. QuickTime™ and a Sorenson Video decompressor are needed to see this picture.