These short wooden sticks are called claves or concussion sticks and are very common in Cuban music as well as any of the Latin countries. The two sticks are banged together to give a sharp crack. To play them, one stick is held with the hand cupped so that the tone resonates. Although they may sound easy to play the timing of the rhythm must be exactly right. These light-colored claves come from Havana, Cuba where I bought them in August 1956 when I stopped there for a few days on my way to Maracaibo, Venezuela.