The Berimbau is a single-string percussion instrument that is the heart of Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines dance and acrobatics. It consists of a long wooden bow, a steel string, and a hollowed-out gourd that acts as a resonator. The player holds the bow in one hand and uses a small stone or coin to change the pitch of the string while striking it with a wooden stick. A small shaker called a 'caxixi' is often held in the same hand. The Berimbau dictates the rhythm and speed of the Capoeira match; a slow rhythm signals a friendly, theatrical game, while a fast rhythm indicates a more aggressive combat. It is believed to have originated in Africa and was adapted by enslaved people in Brazil to hide their combat training as a musical dance.