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Musical bow; berimbau

Berimbau, stick zither. The outcurved wooden string carrier has a single steel tring tied at both ends. The resonator, made of the dried shell of the fruit of the calabash tree (Crescentia cujete) is secured to the outer side of the string carrier. It is attached with copper wire that extends into a loop on the opposite side around the string. The stick and resonator are decorated with black colouration in which circular patches have been left to show the colour of the wood. There are also painted decorations of stripes and triangular patterns in green, yellow, black and red. Five 'fitas' or wish ribbons coloured red, blue, green, white and purple are tied round the stick towards the top, on which are printed: 'LEMBRANÇA DO SENHOR DO BONFIM DA BAHIA'. The pitch and timbre of the string is altered with a removeable annular bridge 'dobrão' (2002.562.5). The player strikes the string with a bamboo beater 'baqueta' (Horniman Museum number: 2002.562.4), holding a small basketry vessel rattle 'caxixi' (Horniman Museum number: 2002.562.3) in the same hand.