viola (brazilian five-course guitar) is an instrument that was brought to brazil by the first people, pioneers and jesuits. it was used as a tool for the cathequesis. this instrument was transformed correspondently with the new land's development at the hands of bandeirantes (pathfinders), tropeiros (responsible for the transport of goods on donkeys) and popular singers. along with the configuration of the popular culture in brazil, viola became the speaker of the people of some regions, such as the south-east. this article deals a little with its origin and its relations with the brazilian people throughout the years.
