Açon

Açons are rattles made from calabashes containing seeds or pebbles. They are used in Haitian vodun rites alongside drums and ogans. Unknown. (1972). "açon", in Leach, M. (ed) Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. 3rd ed. p.7
In these rites, they are played by an initiate skilled at singing, and are used to create a ground rhythm that the drums work elaborate patterns around. When they are shook to make a long, continuous sound, it signifies the end of one song and start of another. The person playing the açon often dances with the other dancers, shaking the instruments above their head and controlling when the song changes. A number of these rites include açcon solos in the music, often as exchanges between the açon and the chorus. 
In preparation for these rites, the açon, along with drums and ogan, are ritually baptised. 
== References ==
Category:Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend