Afoxé

An Afro-Brazilian musical form and cultural manifestation originating in Salvador, Bahia, rooted in the Candomblé religion. Afoxé, also known by its rhythmic pattern Ijexá, functions as a secular street procession derived from sacred ceremonies honoring the Orixás (deities). Its sonic identity is defined by a percussive ensemble of atabaque drums, agogô, and xequerê, creating a hypnotic, polyrhythmic foundation for call-and-response vocals sung in Yoruba or Portuguese. Initially a form of cultural and spiritual expression for Afro-Brazilian communities, its rhythms were famously absorbed into popular music by artists like *Gilberto Gil*, shaping the sound of MPB and axé music.