The xequere is an ancient African instrument and is still used widely throughout Brazil in afro brazilian religions and musics. Some Rio samba schools parade with a single, huge xequere being played at the front of the bateria.

This ancient instrument is widespread in Africa, where it has different names in different countries. When Africans came to Latin America as slaves, people from many African nations brought this instrument with them. This has led to this gourd shaker having a huge number of names, It is called Kabassa, agbe, guiro (gourd), cabaca, shekkerre, sekere, abwe, xequere, chekere, sekere, acon, and piano de cuia in different parts of Latin America. The chekere is deeply assocoated with ts african roots and is important in many types of latin american percussion.