Bring the thunder of northeast Brazil to your percussion groove.
The Alfaia is the traditional rope‑tuned drum of the maracatu tradition in Pernambuco, carrying a strong, resonant bass tone and a heritage of Afro‑Brazilian street performance. 
Now, the respected Brazilian manufacturer Contemporânea offers two superb sizes — the 16″ and 18″ — built to high standards, ideal for both street parades and stage performance.
 
Why these models stand out:
The 16″ version (approx. 16″ diameter, with 40‑49 cm shell height) weighs around 3.43 kg and uses a plywood shell with reinforcement rings and natural, goatskin heads, tuned by durable nylon cords. 
The 18″ version (18″ diameter, approx. 45 cm deep) weighs around 4 kg and features a light‑coloured plywood shell, goatskin heads, rope tuning, and stable tension hoops. 
Both instruments use traditional rope or cord‑tension tuning mechanisms, delivering that deep, full-bodied sound typical of maracatu alfaias. 
These drums are built with craft and function in mind: designed not only for authenticity but for durability and performance in live contexts.
 
Best for:
Percussionists seeking an authentic maracatu drum with a solid bass voice and strong projection.
Street performance or stage settings where the instrument’s body and voice must carry across large groups or open spaces.
Ensembles where the 16″ drum could serve a brighter “repique” voice, while the 18″ gives a fuller, deeper “meião” or second‑voice role (in line with size‑voice norms for alfaias). 
 
Technical snapshot:
16″ model: diameter ~16″, shell height ~40‑49 cm, weight ≈ 3.43 kg. 
18″ model: diameter ~18″, shell depth ~45 cm, weight ≈ 4 kg. 
Shell: plywood with reinforcement rings (natural wood finish)
Heads: natural/goatskin for batter and resonance sides
Tuning: Rope or cord (nylon string) system
Use context: Maracatu, batucada, street ensemble, stage.