Berimbau (capoeira bow instrument, artisan-made)

The sound of capoeira, hand-made in Bahia for half of what US world-music importers charge.

Price: 250 BRL (Full-size playable artisan berimbaus on Brazilian craft marketplaces and Salvador's Mercado Modelo, typically R$150-350; decorative minis from R$60)

Where to buy: Mercado Modelo and capoeira schools in Salvador (buy from a mestre's shop if you can), Elo7 artisan marketplace online

Price checked 2026-07-03

• A real berimbau is biriba wood with a dried cabaca gourd - it disassembles (verga, cabaca, caxixi) and flies as odd-size checked luggage
• Buying from a capoeira school supports the tradition directly and gets you a playable, not just decorative, instrument
• Gourd is fragile: hand-carry the cabaca or pad it heavily