Esaasi

Other name: cekeca

The esaasi is a rattle made from a small tin. It is on average 8 cm in height with a diameter of 6 cm. The cylindrical tin is shaped like an hourglass and is completely perforated all over with a nail or other pointed object. Several small stones are placed inside the tin to produce a sharp sound.

This instrument is not that old but is widely used in Ankole partly because it is durable and partly because it has a loud piercing sound, much loved by the peoples of Ankole. The traditional box-shaped rattles have not fallen into disuse because of the success of the esaasi as they, like the enyimba gourd rattle, produce a totally different timbre with a much softer and warmer sound. The combination of several types of rattle is therefore also favoured in Ankole because it produces a diversity of sounds.

The esaasi is usually played by men and the player holds one instrument; the Kooki have an esaasi in each hand.

The rhythmic patterns of the metal rattles differ from the traditional rhythms of the rugaaniira box-shaped rattle. They are more dependent on the improvisation talent of the player.

The esaasi is used together with other rhythm instruments to accompany dance but it is also used in combination with melody instruments such as the endingidi.

for more information see also: VAN THIEL, Paul, "Multi-Tribal Music of Ankole. An ethnomusicological study including a glossary of musical terms." Edited by the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Annales, Sciences Humaines, nr 91, 1977, 234 pp.