there are a wide variety of string instruments in the carioca musical tradition. in order or ascending complexity there is the berimbau, the cavaquinho, the 4 string samba banjo, the viola de buriti, the viola de cocho, the viola braguesa, the guitarra baiana, the viola caipira, and the craviola.

the berimbau is the simplest and most ancient of the string instruments found in rio de janeiro. believed to have originated in southwestern africa, the berimbau is the iconic instrument of the brazilian martial art of capoeira.