Cuica

This is an instrument with unusual origins. It was brought to Brazil by African-probably Bantú-slaves but can be traced to other northern regions of Africa as well as the Iberian peninsula. It is also called the lion's roar, friction drum and less commonly, the puita. In its early incarnations it was also used by hunters luring lions with the growls the instrument can produce. There are many sizes of cuicas, and although generally categorized as a percussion instrument, the cuica is not struck. It is a metal or wood canister with a calf-skin or plastic head on the top side. Embedded on the underside of the head is a bamboo post. The thumb, index, and middle fingers of one hand hold the rod on the cuica's interior with a small piece of damp cloth. The rhythm is articulated by pushing and pulling along the length of the rod. The tighter one holds the rod, the higher the pitch. Meanwhile, the other hand can press on the head in different spots and by increasing or decreasing pressure to the head, can alter the pitch. The pitch range of the cuica can be as much as two octaves. In Brazilian music the tones produced tend to imitate the voice in the form of grunts, groans, moans, and squeaking sounds. It can also provide a rhythmic ostinato. After becoming integrated in the Brazilian percussion arsenal, the cuica was traditionally used by the Escolas de Samba during Carnival, but it currently is also used in contemporary jazz, Latin and funk styles.