The Thetazen Cascara Bendo Shaker Chime is a handcrafted percussion instrument that combines natural beauty with a distinctly warm, hollow sound. Dozens of Bendo seeds are strung together in a full, cascading cluster and suspended from a woven organic fiber handle — creating an instrument with both visual presence and expressive acoustic character. Measuring 13" in total hang length and weighing approximately 260 grams, the Cascara Bendo has a substantial, grounded feel in the hand and produces a rich, airy rattle that responds readily to the gentlest movement. As a handmade item, slight variations in seed shape, tone, and density are natural and give each piece its own character.

The Bendo seed is harvested from Artocarpus elasticus — a large tropical tree native to the Indonesian archipelago and widely cultivated across Java, Borneo, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Related to the jackfruit and breadfruit family, the Bendo tree has long been woven into the daily life and material culture of the communities that surround it. The hollow dried seed shells produce a sound prized for its warm, airy resonance, and have been used in handcrafted body percussion instruments across the region for generations — carried and worn during movement, dance, and ceremonial practice to add natural rhythm to the human form.

Held by the looped woven handle, the Cascara Bendo can be shaken, swept, or gently swayed to produce everything from a soft, whispering rustle to a full, cascading rattle — making it a versatile and intuitive tool for sound therapy sessions, rhythmic practice, and creative performance alike.