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History
of the Kosika
Found along the West Coast of Africa, the kosika
is first and foremost a children's toy. In Ghana, the children use
the kosika to pass the time, playing as they walk from village to
village, or sitting in a circle where friendly competitions detirmine
who can play the most styles. In Mali, women primarily play the instrument
to accompany their songs. In other cultures, the kosika is used to
call the spirits during religeous ceremonies.
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The kosika
is found all throughout
West Africa and therefore has aquired numerous names. In Ghana alone
it is known by the names kitikpo, televi, asalatua, akasa, bakita,
kokosiko, and kosika
just to name a few.
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The traditional kosika
are made from
the seed pods of a vine which grows in certain trees.
Children fill the seed pods with pebbles or seeds then connect them
to either end of a piece of string securing the string to the pods
with beeswax, small wedges made of gourd, or by tying a knot in
the string and pushing it through the hole in the seed pod.
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The kosika has two
voices, a click
and a shake. As you shake the kosika, the balls
swing around your fingers, clicking together to create endless rhythmic
phrases.
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Since the traditional kosika tend to
break easily in certain climates,
Rad Rhythms has developed a durable
plastic kosika which has both a loud shake
and a strong click. |
To
hear a demonstration, go to the Home page
and click the play button below the video clip. |
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