Agogo Bells
/əˈɡoʊɡoʊ bɛlz/noun
A pair of small, connected metal bells played by striking them, especially in West African and Brazilian musical traditions.
Did you know?In Brazilian Candomblé, the agogô can help lead sacred rhythms associated with orixás, making its ringing part of ritual—not merely decoration.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Yoruba
àgògô
“Bell or metal percussion instrument; the form is associated with Yoruba musical culture.”
17th–19th Century
Portuguese
agogô
“A bell instrument adopted into Portuguese-speaking musical contexts, especially Brazil.”
19th Century
Brazilian Portuguese
agogô
“A double bell struck with a wooden or metal beater, used in Afro-Brazilian music and ritual.”
20th Century
English
agogo
“A borrowed name for the African or Brazilian bell instrument.”
Modern English
English
agogo bells
“Plural English expression for the paired bells used in percussion, popular, jazz, and world music.”