Berimbau

Measure 1.65 (Metro) of the Biriba wooden lintel

Berimbau made of treated biriba wood, chosen among many on the right moon, special for capoeira circle players, chosen by expert players. Excellent finish on the gourd, tied with ramie, high quality lintel. Berimbau Gunga Medium Berimbau Berimbau Viola Accompanied by Caxixi tucum drumstick.

To know:

The berimbau or berimbal de peito is a string instrument traditionally used to compose percussion in Capoeira, to mark the rhythm of the roda. It is also known by the following names: urucungo, urucurgo, orucungo, oricungo, uricungo, rucungo, ricungo, berimbau metalizado, gobo, marimbau, bucumbumba, bucumbunga, gunga, macungo, matungo, mutungo, aricongo, arco musical and rucumbo. In southern Mozambique, this traditional instrument is called xitende. In Angola called hungu or m'bolumbumba.

The berimbau consists of a bow made of a wooden stick (lintel) with an approximate length of 1.50m to 1.70m and a steel wire (wire) attached to the ends of the stick. At one end of the arch is fixed a gourd that works as a resonance box. The berimbau player uses a stone or coin (doubloon), the stick and the caxixi to produce the sounds of the berimbau.
Index

The berimbau technique

The Berimbau is held with one hand, at the height of the gourd; with the same hand, the coin or a washed sand stone is held, which, during the playing of the instrument, will be pressed several times against the wire, in order to modify the tone of the Berimbau. The gourd is positioned at the level of the player's abdomen, as the latter modifies its sound when he brings the gourd closer or further away from his body. With the stick in the other hand, the wires are tapped; and, in the same hand as the stick, the player holds the Caxixi, in order to fill the sound of the beat of the stick with the sound of the Caxixi: a kind of rattle.

Origins

It is estimated that the musical bow appeared around 1500 B.C., and instruments derived from the bow were found in the most diverse regions of the world, New Mexico, Patagonia, Africa and were present in the most varied civilizations, including Egyptian, Phoenician, Hindu, Persian, Assyrian. However, there are records of the berimbau as we know it in Africa. From there he was brought to Brazil by African slaves.

In Capoeira

Caxixi, Coin and Rod

The Berimbau is a fundamental element in capoeira, being revered by capoeiristas before starting a game. Some consider it a sacred instrument. He commands the capoeira circle, dictates the rhythm and style of play. The variations of the touches (rhythms) of the berimbau are numerous, among them:

* Angola
* São Bento Grande de Bimba
* São Bento Grande de Angola
* São Bento Pequeno
* Iúna
* Cavalry
* Santa Maria
* Benguela

Debret Curiosities - Joueur d'Uruncungo

* In 1826 the French artist Jean Baptiste Debret portrays a berimbau player in "Joueur d'Uruncungo".

* The instrument is known for being the theme of a popular song by Baden Powell de Aquino, a great Brazilian guitarist. The lyrics of the song were written by Vinícius de Moraes.

* Considered one of the greatest percussionists on the planet, Naná Vasconcelos specialized in Brazilian instruments, especially the berimbau, even expanding his technique.

* Preserved in Bahia until the present, the berimbau has always been a typical souvenir of the state, sold to tourists much more as an adornment than as an instrument - colorful and decorated, very different from the one that capoeiristas use.