The calabash is a drum crafted from a large hemispherical gourd (calabash). It is either hit with the clenched fist, producing a low sound, bass, or played with fingers with small drumsticks, producing a high tone.
It can also be played as a water drum, when two calabashes are used: the bigger is filled with water, and the smaller is placed on the top of the bigger one.
Such dried and decorated gourds are frequently found as vessels or containers in everyday use.
