Atabaque

The atabaque is an instrument of Arabic origin, introduced in Africa by the merchants who entered the continent after crossing the Northern countries. The atabaque was the first instrument used in Capoeira, well before the berimbau. Slaves must have made them (in more primitive forms than what is currently used) and would have played them along with religious rituals, dances and also, possibly, as a means of communications between the Senzalas.