Atabaque

Drumming on an atabaque

The atabaque (Pronounced: Ah-tah-bah-keh) is a tall, wooden, Afro-Brazilian hand drum. The shell is made traditionally of Jacaranda wood from Brazil. The head is traditionally made from calfskin. A system of ropes are intertwined around the body of the atabaque, securing the head to the top of the body. A metal ring, secured by the ropes, is positioned at the lower portion of the atabaque, and wooden wedges jammed between the body of the atabaque. One uses a hammer, very gently, to push up or push down these wedges, in turn, loosening or tightening the ropes, and thus tuning the sound of the Atabaque. The atabaque is used in Capoeira, Maculelê and the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomblé. It is considered sacred in Candomblé

There are three types of atabaque:

Rum: Tallest with the lowest sound. Rum-Pi: Medium height, with medium sound. Lê: Shortest with the highest sound.

In Maculelê and the rituals of Candomblé, as many as three atabaques are used (usually one of each type), but in Capoeira, traditionally only one is used.

[Listen to Atabaque and see some photos]

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