The cantos were guilds or associations managed by Nagos (Yoruba slaves) in Bahia, Brazil, in which members pulled resources to buy freedom, with the first to secure it contributing to the pool until the last canto member was free.
The cantos were called "corners" because of the places they gathered in the city to attend their customers.
Brazilian historian Manuel Querino described the inauguration ceremony for the new captain: The members of the canto would borrow a keg from one of the warehouses on Julião or Pilar Street.
From eight to twelve Ethiopians, usually the strongest of the lot, would lift the keg, on top of which the new canto captain would ride, holding the branch of a bush in one hand and in the other a bottle of white rum.
The recently elected captain was then congratulated by members of other cantos, and on that occasion, he performed a sort of exorcism with the liquor bottle, sprinkling a few drops of its contents out.