var1=<B>Bata Drumming - Oru Seco and Oru Cantando</B>
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Afro-Cuban bata, starting with the Oru Seco - the first segment of a traditional Orisha ceremonly called "Bembe" and moving on to Oru Cantando, the second segment of a Bembe.
The double-headed Bata drum was developed in Yoruba land (southwestern Nigeria and Benin) about 500 to 800 years ago. Bata drums are said to have been introduced by Shango, a Yoruba king and an Orisha deity. They may have roots in northeastern Africa, the Middle East, or even in India where similar double-headed drums also exist. They were "exported" to Cuba during the African Diaspora.
A Bata "ensemble" is formed by three members, each of whom play a different size bata drum, incorporating complicated "call and response" patterns (conversations). The lead drummer plays the Iyalu or Iya, the largest of the three Bata drums. The middle size drum is called the Itotele or Emele Abo. The smallest Bata is the single Okonkolo in the Cuban style Bata, and the grouped Emele Ako and Kudi in the Nigerian style. This grouping on the smallest Nigerian Bata starts with just a single drum. The remaining two drums in the trio are added as the player develops expertise.
Cuban Havana style Bata are played exclusively with the hands, while the Cuban Matanzas and Nigerian style Bata incorporate both hands and leather sticks to play the instruments. Both styles produce a sound that is hard, metallic, and loud, sounding a bit like a thunderstorm.
Fundamental or consecrated bata drums are used in religious ceremonies to call down the Orisha. Such drums are few and far between and require a special initiation ceremony in order to play. In ceremonies where there is less rigorous protocol - or for those who simply wish to study this beautiful form of music as we will in this class - other instruments can be also be incorporated such as shekeres, conga drums, and guataca or cowbell.