An agogô (Yoruba: ['aɡoɡo]) is a type of bell instrument. It comes from West African music and is now used in both traditional and modern Brazilian music. Agogôs are usually made from two metal pieces shaped like cones, each making a different sound.

Etymology

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

Construction

The agogô was originally made from wrought iron, but today it is made from different types of metals and sizes to create various sounds. The bells are made by shaping flat pieces of sheet metal into cone shapes. Two bells are then joined together with a U-shaped metal piece. Each bell has a different length, which causes each to make a different sound when struck. The sound's pitch depends on the bell's length: longer bells make a lower sound, and shorter bells make a higher sound. Another factor that affects the sound is the thickness of the metal. Thicker walls make less vibration, while thinner walls vibrate more easily.

Playing

To play the agogô, hold the instrument in one hand with the handle in your palm. The bells should be positioned so that their openings face away from the player, and the smaller bell is placed above the larger one. The bells can be hit with a drumstick or another beater made of wood or metal.

Uses

Drums are an important part of Yoruba music, which is essential to Yoruba culture and religious traditions. The âgogo is a key instrument in Ìpèsè, a group of drums used during Ifá festivals. This group also plays during rituals meant to honor the gods. The âgogo is also used in many Yoruba music styles, including Juju, Afro-juju, Apala, Fuji, and others. Nigerian musicians often use the âgogo to share traditional Yoruba music with more people.

Enslaved people from West Africa were the first to bring the agogô to Brazil. In Brazil, the instrument is used in religious traditions with African roots, such as Candomblé, and to support capoeira, a Brazilian martial art. Along with European instruments like the seven-string guitar and native instruments like maracas, the âgogo was an important part of music groups in the 1920s called choro ensembles. 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 traditional rhythms and musical styles.