1. Canister rattles with handles originally made from gourds or rawhide and filled with beads, pebbles, seeds or the like Hand held and played in pairs
2. An important Cuban instrument, probably of African origin, pairs of gourds with pebbles or seeds inside that rattle when shaaken Maracas have the following stages of sound production: energy source: muscle vibrating element: pebbles or seeds resonating chamber: gourd.
(Marrakech) A city in west Morocco that's notable as a place for western tourists to (illegally) buy cannabis and in particular hashish. Marrakesh is immortalized in the Crosby, Stills and Nash song "Marrakesh Express," whose lyrics include some druggy metaphors; " ... Take the train from Casablanca going south / Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my mouth ..."