New Zealand Māori People Idiophone (Clappers): "Poi Balls"

These poi balls are part of a Māori dance performance. In New Zealand, it is women performers who swing weights at the end of a string in a variety of rhythmic and geometric patterns. Traditional Māori dances are usually performed in group choreography at cultural events.

A Māori historian said poi balls evolved from bags made of woven flax fibers to carry a moa egg. Fighting warriors in training placed a large stone in each bag and swung the bags around to make their arms and wrists supple and strong and to test reactions. Later, the Māori played with a bag that had a light stuffing inside of it, usually of feathers or wool. Today the bags are used primarily in action songs.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poi_(p
http://www.homeofpoi.com/lessons_all/teach/History-of-Maori-POI-in-New-Zealand-34_293_1947erformance_art)