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WABUKAN Arsenal · Uniforms and tradition · Americas

Berimbau

A one-string musical bow with a gourd. It leads the capoeira roda and sets the speed and style of the game.

Berimbau
Berimbau WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

berimbau de barriga; gunga, médio, viola

Origin and history

The berimbau is a musical bow of African origin that leads the capoeira roda. The capoeira roda was added to UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. Its rhythm (toque) tells the players how to play.

Martial arts that use it

Capoeira

Construction

A wooden bow (verga, traditionally biriba wood) of about 1.5 m, a steel wire, and a gourd (cabaça) as resonator; played with a stick (baqueta), a stone or coin (dobrão) and a small rattle (caxixi).

Basic techniques

Training

Uniforms and traditional items are “trained” through etiquette: how to wear, fold, tie and care for them is taught alongside technique and is part of each art’s culture.

Safety

Keep it clean and dry, check seams and knots, and make sure nothing hangs loose that could catch fingers or toes during training.

Legality (general information)

This is training or traditional equipment, not a weapon, and is generally free to buy and own. Clubs and federations may still set rules on approved models and condition. General information, not legal advice.

Did you know?

A roda usually has three berimbaus of different pitch: gunga (low), médio and viola (high).

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Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Berimbau
  2. Wikipedia — Capoeira