Agogô: Brazilian musical instrument

An agogô also called the “agogô” in Yoruba means bell. It is a single or multiple bells that is now used all through the world but has its origin in the traditional Yoruba music and also in the samba-baterias. The agogô could be the oldest samba instrument and has always been based on West African Yoruba single or double bells. This musical instrument has the highest pitch than any bateria musical instruments.

source: agogo.com.br

Each bell has a separate shape and size. This is what allows a different pitched note to be produced depending on which bell has been hit. The bells were formally made of wrought iron but now they are produced in a variety of metals and iron for different sound qualities. The most common arrangement is two bells that are kept by a U-shape piece of metal. The smaller bell is held to the uppermost part of the instrument and either bell may be hit with a wooden stick to make a cowbell like sound or a little bit like a clicking sound is produced by pressing the two bells hard together.

This musical instrument is used in the ceremonial music of religions in Yoruba land and also in their new world practice which are based on the beliefs that was brought by slaves from Africa such as the candomble. This musical instrument may be officially used for congregation or bringing of news about the dignitary. It is a major instrument of the Obatala and Orisa Nla of the Yoruba land of Nigeria.