Several instruments of Capoeira Angola circle

Berimbau flash or mp3 file

Berimbau is a musical arch originated from other arches of African areas with Bantu occupation. The current form and the way of playing are constructions of the Brazilian afro-descendents. The instrument is composed by the rustic stick ('biriba'), rope of steel, scraped calabash, leather and string. The leather keeps the rope from cracking the 'biriba' and the 'caro' is the string that helps fastening the rope. It is played with a drum stick, a 'dobrão' (a metal piece, formerly a coin), and a 'caxixi'.

Three 'berimbaus' exist in Capoeira Angola: 'Gunga' (with a bass sound, it conducts the rhythm and the capoeira playing circle), 'Médio' and 'Viola' (with an more acute sound).

It is a small basket with seeds. It has, maybe, African and native Brazilian influence in its construction. Used with the 'berimbau', it gives a second time in the rhythm of the drum stick percussing the arch.

It is a Afro-brazilian drum used traditionally in 'candomblé' rituals. In Capoeira Angola it is played only with hands. This drum, with 'berimbau gunga', conducts the capoeira playing rhythm.

Pandeiro (tambourine) is of Asian origin and it was used by the Portuguese, in Portugal and in Brazil, in processions. Then it came to be used here in several musical manifestations.
In Capoeira Angola the varied 'pandeiro' beats accompany the sounds of 'caxixi' and 'berimbau'.

It is an African instrument and has the function of being a rhythmic counterpoint to 'berimbau' and 'atabaque'.

It is a percussion instrument that enriches a band with sound variety and details.
It seems to have African origin and it is found in several Afro-brazilian cultural events. In Capoeira Angola 'reco-reco' combines this variety to the unique vibrations of 'agogô'.