An agogô (Yoruba: ['aɡoɡo]) is a type of musical instrument that makes sound when struck. It is a percussion instrument that comes from West African music and is now often used in traditional and popular Brazilian music. Agogôs are usually made from two cone-shaped metal pieces that produce different sounds when struck.

Etymology

The word agogô comes from West Africa. The Edo, Idoma, Igala, and Yoruba people of Nigeria use the term ágogo to describe a bell that has one or two parts and does not have a clapper. A larger group of all clapperless bells is called òjè, which means "iron" in their language. The name of the instrument and the knowledge of how to make it were taken to the Americas by enslaved West Africans.

Construction

The agogô was originally made from wrought iron but is now made from various metals and sizes to create different sounds. The bells of a metal agogô are made from flat, fan-shaped pieces of sheet iron that are formed into cone shapes. The two bells are joined together using a U-shaped metal piece. Each bell has a different length, which causes it to produce a different note when struck. The pitch of the bell depends on its length: longer bells create lower sounds, and shorter bells create higher sounds. Another factor that affects the sound is the thickness of the metal. Thicker bells vibrate less, while thinner bells vibrate more easily.

Playing

The agogô is played by holding the instrument in one hand, with the handle in the player's palm. The bell openings should face away from the player, and the smaller bell should be placed above the larger one. The bells are struck using a drumstick or another beater made of wood or metal.

Uses

Drums are an important part of Yoruba music, which plays a key role in Yoruba cultural and religious traditions. The âgogo is a central instrument in Ìpèsè, a drum ensemble used during Ifá festivals. This ensemble also performs during rituals meant to honor the gods. The âgogo is also used in Yoruba musical styles such as Juju, Afro-juju, Apala, Fuji, and others. Nigerian musicians often use the âgogo to share traditional Yoruba music with more people.

Enslaved West Africans were the first to bring the agogô to Brazil. In Brazil, it is used in religious practices rooted in African traditions, such as Candomblé, and to accompany capoeira, a martial art with African origins. Alongside European instruments like the seven-string guitar and indigenous instruments like maracas, the âgogo was an important part of choro ensembles in the 1920s. It is also used in samba baterias, which provide rhythm for Carnival celebrations. Many Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian musicians include the âgogo in their songs to create rhythms and grooves with Afro-Brazilian influences.