The mother of all capoeira rhythms. Angola is slow, strategic, and deeply ritualistic. Played with three berimbaus (gunga, médio, viola), it calls for a game that is low to the ground, thoughtful, and malicioso (mischievous). It connects players to capoeira's ancestral roots.

Toque Characteristic: A slow, hypnotic, and repetitive pattern from the gunga, often with sparse viola variations. The rhythm feels heavy and profound.

The Game: A dialogue of cunning and trickery. Expect lots of negativas, rasteiras, and deep, grounded movements. The game is played close to the floor, with players often observing each other for extended periods.

This is the rhythm of a fast, aggressive, and acrobatic game. Often called "São Bento Grande de Regional," it's the signature toque of the Regional style developed by Mestre Bimba. It's energetic, demanding, and spectacular to watch.

Toque Characteristic: A faster, more driving and upbeat pattern. It's energetic and commands a high-tempo response from the players.

The Game: High kicks (martelos, bençãos), takedowns, and rapid sequences. The game is upright, athletic, and played at a greater distance. It's a game of demonstrated skill and physical prowess.

A rhythm of fluidity, finesse, and continuous movement. Benguela is mid-tempo, encouraging a game that is neither the slow trickery of Angola nor the outright aggression of São Bento Grande. It's the rhythm of connection and flow between two players.

Toque Characteristic: A syncopated, swinging rhythm that feels like a conversation between the berimbaus. It has a distinct, rolling groove.

The Game: Characterized by flowing, connected movements. Players often mirror each other, incorporating lots of rolês, au aberto, and meia-lua de compasso sequences without aggressive takedowns. The focus is on technical precision and harmony.

The rhythm of masters and advanced students. Iuna is a ceremonial toque, played without singing, only the berimbaus and percussion. It signals a game of pure aesthetics, where advanced floreios (flourishes) and complex acrobatics are displayed.

Toque Characteristic: A complex, melodic, and almost melancholic pattern with many variations (volta no mundo). It's technically demanding to play.

The Game: A non-combative display of skill. Expect bananeiras (handstands), mariposas, helicópteros, and other elaborate flourishes. It's a game of beauty and advanced technique, often played to honor a mestre or for special demonstrations.

A rhythm steeped in history and function. Cavalaria (Cavalry) was used as a warning system when police were approaching the clandestine rodas. Its distinctive pattern mimics the galloping of horses.

Toque Characteristic: A fast, staccato, and repetitive "galloping" sound. Unmistakable once you've heard it.

The Game: While sometimes played today for historical demonstration, the game is typically stopped when this rhythm begins. Its primary function was as an alarm, causing the roda to disperse quickly to avoid arrest.