This is most likely a type of hand drum used to accompany traditional dances of the Seri Tribe from Mexico. Rhythm and percussions tend to dominate Seri culture moreso than traditional instrumental music. Instruments like foot drums or rattling gourds are often used to accompany quick and repetitive Seri singing. Dancers’ rhythms and percussions also accompany songs.

While drums were not traditionally used in Seri dances, the existence of this hand drum may have been a result of influence from a neighboring tribe known as the Yacqui tribe. Many popular Seri dances share commonalities with Yacqui traditions.

Two of the most popular dances of the Seri and Yacqui people are the Pascola Dance and the Deer Dance.

“The Dance of the Pascolas and the Deer is a ritual that has been practiced for over 300 years as a call for rain to the gods. according to the vision of the indigenous communities, the pascolas (the elders of the party) were malignant beings, children of the devil. However, God won them in a game. The deer, on the other hand, represents good.” [3]

Listen to Pascola Dance – Mamna Cialim (Green Spinach) here: https://open.spotify.com/track/0KLPOAZVaClyQbYj7jiGKA?si=68f6858d1ca448c0.