The instrument is also known as malakat or mäläkät (መለከት) in Ethiopia and Eritrea.[1]
An ancient instrument, the kakaki was predominant among Songhaicavalry. Its sound is associated with royalty and it is only played at events at the palace of the king or sultan in Hausa societies. It is used as part of the sara, a weekly statement of power and authority. Kakaki are exclusively played by men.
^"Mäläkät (መለከት)". sewasew.com. [source for webpage: Encyclopaedia Aethiopica] Malakat are found among the Amhara and Tégrayans, in northern and central Ethiopia (Šäwa, Bägemdér, and Tégray), and in southern Eritrea (Säraye and Hamasen)...traditionally were used to accompany royal proclamations heralding the approach of the king or another high ranking official or authority.