Maracas are vessel rattles containing seeds, beads, or other loose elements. When shaken, they produce rhythmic patterns that can accompany singing, dance, and different popular-music ensembles. Their sound depends on the vessel material, filling, and the player’s movement. In Mexico they appear in repertoires of varied origins, so their presence does not automatically identify a particular region or tradition. This category gathers recordings in which maracas are documented. They should be distinguished from other rattles, with attention to the full instrumentation and context of each performance. Similar rhythmic functions may be achieved by instruments of very different construction.