A quick search online about the Berimbau (a Portuguese word pronounced be-rim-bao) will most likely give you a result saying it’s an Afro-Caribbean chordophone, found mainly in Brazil. Interestingly, this musical instrument has its roots in Angola, the oil-rich state in southwestern Africa, and across Sub-Saharan Africa, but found its way across the oceans to the Caribbean via the transatlantic slave trade.

Crafted with simplicity yet profound resonance, the berimbau comprises several essential components. At its core, is the wooden bow (verga), made of biribá wood or other hardwoods, that measures four to five feet with a string (arame or corda) stretched taut along its length. At one end, a dried hollow gourd resonator, cabaça, acting as an amplifier for the sound. Attached to the corda is a wooden stick called the baqueta, used to strike it and produce sound with . A small stone or coin, known as the pedra or dobrão, is pressed against the string to create different tones.

The Berimbau is now part of Brazilian culture and it has a prominent role in Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial arts performance. Though Capoeira is a game dance that combines the elements of dance, music, and combat, there's more to it. This dance game is symbolic of the slaves’ survival, self-defense, and preserving their cultural identity.

This Afro-Caribbean musical instrument has different sizes based on the gourd resonator size. The berimbau with the smallest cabaça is the viola, while the middle-sized one is the médio or centro and the largest is the gunga.

To play this unique musical instrument, one might think it’s easy considering the simple outlook. But it’s not so. Playing the berimbau requires a delicate balance of technique and rhythm. The player holds the instrument with one hand while using the baqueta to strike the string with varying degrees of force. By adjusting the pressure of the pedra and the position of the baqueta, the player can produce a range of tones — from deep, resonant bass notes to high-pitched trebles. The berimbau’s unique sound palette allows for intricate melodies and rhythms, creating a captivating musical experience.

Though the berimbau has taken on the identity of an Afro-Caribbean musical instrument, its roots remain linked to African soil.

Berimbau is an Afro-Caribbean instrument, found mainly in Brazil, but has its roots in Angola.

Berimbau: From African Roots to Afro-Caribbean Cultural Icon

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