Each ball of a Kashaka (also known as the aslatua) is a hollow gourd from the Oncoba spinosa tree.[2] When the gourds dry and fall from the trees, children collect them and fill them with orange pebbles from the iron-rich soil of the Sahel. Along the coast of West Africa, small pieces of shells are used instead.
The two gourd balls are attached to each other by a small string (sometimes made from old rags braided together).