View source for Agogô

{{Short description|Type of bell originating with the Yoruba and Edo peoples}}
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{{more citations needed|date=January 2014}}
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{{Infobox instrument
| name                  = Agogô
| names                 =gan gan (smaller version)
| image                 = Modern-Agogo.jpg
| image_capt            = Modern Agogô bell
| background            =
| classification        =
| hornbostel_sachs      = 111.242   
| hornbostel_sachs_desc = Bells
| inventors             =
| developed             =
| range                 =
| pitch                 = Medium to High
| timbre                = Bright, uniform
| volume                = Medium to loud
| attack                = Fast
| decay                 = Medium
}}
An '''agogô''' ([[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]: ''agogo'', meaning bell) is a single or a multiple
[[Bell (instrument)|bell]] now used throughout the world but with origins in traditional Yoruba and [[Edo State|Edo]] music and also in the [[samba]] ''[[bateria]]s'' (percussion ensembles). The agogô may be the oldest [[samba]] instrument and was based on West African Yoruba single or double bells. The agogô has the highest pitch of any of the [[bateria]] instruments.

==Construction==
Each bell is a different size. This allows a differently pitched note to be produced depending on which bell has been hit. Originally wrought iron, they are now manufactured in a variety of metals and sizes for different sound qualities. The most common arrangement is two bells attached by a U-shaped piece of metal. The smaller bell is held uppermost. Either bell may be hit with a wooden stick to make a [[Cowbell (instrument)|cowbell]] like sound or less commonly a clicking sound is produced by squeezing the two bells together.<ref>{{Cite web |title=agogô · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection · Grinnell College Libraries |url=https://omeka-s.grinnell.edu/s/MusicalInstruments/item/2681 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=omeka-s.grinnell.edu}}</ref>

'''Origins, history, and evolution'''{{Anchor|Origins/History/Evolution}}

The Yoruba, Igala, and Edo peoples of Nigeria use the word "agogô," which refers to a single or double clapperless bell. (Page 33 of Gourley et al. The name agogô and the idea of an instrumental were carried to the Americas by enslaved Africans, where they were revived and used in both form and function over time as circumstances allowed and customs changed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=agogô · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection · Grinnell College Libraries |url=https://omeka-s.grinnell.edu/s/MusicalInstruments/item/2681 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=omeka-s.grinnell.edu}}</ref>

'''Dimensions'''

10 in. length

5.6 in. length (larger bell)

2.7 in. diameter of rim (larger bell)

4.6 in. length (smaller bell)

2 in. diameter of rim (smaller bell)<ref>{{Cite web |title=agogô · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection · Grinnell College Libraries |url=https://omeka-s.grinnell.edu/s/MusicalInstruments/item/2681 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=omeka-s.grinnell.edu}}</ref>

==Religious origins==
It is used in the ceremonial music of religions in Yorubaland as well as in their new world practice, which is based on beliefs such as [[Candomblé]] brought by slaves from Africa.

'''Uses'''

Bells are primarily used as percussion instruments in traditional Yoruba music. It is yet another crucial musical instrument in their music, along with the sekere and gangan (talking drum). This bell is used by their cultural groups; in fact, traditional dancers can only move to the sounds made by the bell. Additionally, it plays a significant role in the Yoruba musical subgenres of Juju, Afro-juju, Apala, Fuji, and others. Agogo is always present in the musical instruments used by the performers that introduced Nigerian music to a global audience. The main musical instrument used in the dancing masquerades is also the bell. In addition to smaller bells fastened to their ankles, masqueraders exhibit musical skill at cultural events. They consist of two or more bells of different pitches, struck with a stick to create sharp, rhythmic sounds. Some can be squeezed to produce a "clapping" effect.

Additionally, this ringing bell is crucial to the king-making and chieftaincy rites. It plays a significant role in various regions' specific ceremonies performed throughout these procedures. The Chief Priest's or occultists' declarations or prayers must be accompanied by the ringing of the bell. One of the finest Yoruba epic films, Saworo Ide & Agogo Ewo, depicts this. These films, created by director Tunde Kelani, provide more insight into the significance of the bell in Yoruba culture.

The bell was utilized in Yoruba land and certain other regions of Nigeria before the development of social media, telecommunication, and radio stations to communicate information to the populace. Using the bell to draw attention, the town crier informs the populace of information from the monarch or leaders. As soon as the bell is rung using a wooden stick, everyone congregates in one spot to hear what the town crier has to say. The bell, which may be compared to the current tweet that is sent out to the entire world,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Lance |date=2015-02-05 |title=The Agogô: Yoruban "Double Bell" |url=https://centerforworldmusic.org/2015/02/world-music-instruments-agogo/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Center for World Music |language=en-US}}</ref> is just as significant in this situation as the town crier.

A bell known as agogo is used for religious reasons in addition to the percussion bell. It features a tongue and a clapper that are used to generate noise by striking the metallic body. Pentecostal congregations utilize it as a type of musical instrument and for prayer. The importance of agogo is the same everywhere in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-05 |title=A YORUBA MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: AGOGO {{!}} EveryEvery |url=https://everyevery.ng/a-yoruba-musical-instrument-agogo/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=everyevery.ng |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Percussion {{!}} Instrument Lab |url=https://www.edu.xunta.gal/espazoAbalar/sites/espazoAbalar/files/datos/1461829433/contido/percussion2.html |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.edu.xunta.gal}}</ref>

==Rhythmic patterns==
[[File:Brazilian bells.png|thumb|left|Afro-Brazilian agogo bell patterns. {{audio|Brazilian bells 1.mid|Play 1}}, {{audio|Brazilian bells 2.mid|2}}, {{audio|Brazilian bells 3.mid|3}}, {{audio|Brazilian bells 4.mid|4}}]]

[[Bell pattern]] 1 is the most basic, or archetypal pattern. It is the 4/4 form of what is known in [[ethnomusicology]] as the ''standard pattern'', and known in Cuba as  ''[[clave rhythm|clave]]''. Pattern 1 is used in [[maculelê (dance)|maculelê]] and some [[Candomblé]] and [[Macumba]] rhythms.  Bell 2 is used in [[afoxê]] and can be thought of as pattern 1 embellished with four additional strokes. Bell 3 is used in [[batucada]]. Pattern 4 is the [[maracatu]] bell and can be thought of as pattern 1 embellished with four additional strokes.{{Listen
| filename     = Agogo.ogg
| title        = Modern agogo
| description  = modern agogo [[bell pattern|rhythm pattern]]
| filesize     = 150 KB
}}


{{Listen
| filename     = Africanagogosound.ogg
| title        = African agogo
| description  = African agogo rhythm pattern
| filesize     = 150 KB
}}







==In rock music==
[[Image:Africanagogo.jpg|thumb|right|Gankoqui, a idiophone from Western Africa.]]
* [[Copacabana (song)|Copacabana]], popular [[United States|American]] [[disco]] song by [[Barry Manilow]] featuring an agogo bell solo in the introduction
* [[Love Rollercoaster]], popular [[United States|American]] [[funk]] song by [[Ohio Players]] featuring a prominent agogo bell 
* [[Soulfly]] frontman [[Max Cavalera]] played a pair of agogô on the band's debut album.
* [[There Goes the Fear|There Goes The Fear]] by British band [[Doves (band)|Doves]] features a percussion section at the end, including an agogo. This is played by guitarist [[Jez Williams]] in live performances.
* [[Bizarre Love Triangle]] by [[New Order (band)|New Order]] features a synthesised percussion breakdown with [[timbales]], agogo, claps at around 2:42, performed by drummer [[Stephen Morris (musician)|Stephen Morris.]]

==See also ==
* [[Cowbell (instrument)]]
* [[Claves]]
* [[Cultural appropriation]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/mc-me/be-af-mu.pdf African and African-American Contributions to World Music] (PDF)

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wiktionary|agogo bell}}
*[http://www.music.exato.nl/sounds/ Bateria Sounds]

{{Bells}}
{{Percussion|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agogo}}
[[Category:African percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Bells (percussion)]]
[[Category:Brazilian percussion]]
[[Category:Capoeira music]]
[[Category:Central American and Caribbean percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Hand percussion]]
[[Category:Idiophones struck directly]]
[[Category:Metal percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Samba]]
[[Category:Unpitched percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Yoruba musical instruments]]