Cuicas are cylinder shaped metal drum that originally comes from Africa, where it was used during the hunt to mimic the sound of a roaring lion.
The instrument consists of a metal drum, one side of which is equipped with a drumhead made of animal hide. A thin bamboo stick (gambita) is mounted in the middle of the inside of the drum head. The unique sound of the cuica is achieved by rubbing a damp cloth along the stick. You can create different tones by pressing the fingers of your other hand on the drum head while you rub the cloth on the stick.
The cuica plays an important rhythmic role in different samba styles. The instrument is primarily used by carnival groups from Rio de Janiero; some of the groups have entire sections of cuica players.
