Castanets

Castanets are a pair of shell-shaped clappers that create rhythmic patterns to accompany music and dance. They are a percussion instrument in the clapper family, traditionally played in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and other musical genres. The word "castanet" comes from the Spanish word castaina, which means "chestnut". Origins and history: Historians believe castanets are at least 3,000 years old, with prehistoric versions found in Egypt.