Caxixi Love

In September, we took on a brand-new project: making our very first Caxixis by hand! And what can I say? It was absolutely amazing!

Boaz, who led the whole thing, had practiced diligently beforehand so he could guide us step by step.

Spoiler alert: at the end of the video, you can see his very first Caxixi- it’s definitely worth watching, and a smile is guaranteed! 😄

With his guidance, we got started right away. The beginning was really relaxed- weaving had something almost meditative about it. Row by row, we watched our Caxixis take shape, and it was so cool to see how everything came together.

Toward the end, things got a little trickier. Finishing off the weave was a small challenge and required a bit of patience from some of us. But hey, we all made it- and the results turned out great!

In the end, everyone created their own beautiful Caxixi, each in their own style and at their own pace. The atmosphere was super relaxed and creative- we had such a great time!

Why the Caxixi Is Essential in Capoeira

For those wondering what the Caxixi means in Capoeira: it’s played together with the Berimbau and helps to strengthen the rhythm. Some people play the Berimbau without a Caxixi, that works too, of course, but traditionally, the Caxixi is an integral part of the instrument and gives the music a special touch. So, it’s not strictly necessary, but according to tradition, it simply belongs there.

A Little Tip for Anyone Wanting to Try It Themselves

Be careful not to press the bottom of the Caxixi too hard- a few of ours unfortunately broke, which was a real pity after putting in so much effort!

We’ve linked here where we got our materials from, in case you’d like to give it a try yourself.

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Check out some impressions from our first Caxixi workshop — and we look forward to reading your comments!

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