African Percussion

The Bata

The Bata originate from West Africa. The Yoruba people are credited for their existense specifically Shango (Sango) Sango was Alafin (owner of the palace)or Oba (king) of the ancient city of Oyo. The Bata were created in his honor and to this day sing his praises.

Shangos reign dates back to the mid fiftheen hundreds he is figured to be the 3rd to rule after Oranmiyan /the founder of Oyo) and Ajaka. He was loved by his people who felt very safe under this rule. He was a warrior who posessed the power to spitfire and consumed his enemies. He also emerged as a fare and wise man in his duties as judge in court of civil disputes.

In Nigeria where many Yoruba people live the Bata are played in family of five. The smallest drum is called Emele Ako (the supporter). Next size is Kudi (a name decribing only this drum). Adamo (a name decribing only this drum) is next. The Emele Abo (female drum) is the 4th in size and last but not least is the Iya Ilu (mother drum) which is adorned with brass bells called Isaworo.

All of the drums with the exception of the Emele Ako have Ida (tree sap) on larger of their 2 heads. In Nigeria unlike Cuba the Bata are almost exclusively played standing and with a long hide strap on the smaller of the two heads. This practice of using a strap of hide is still maintained in province of Matanzas Cuba. It is not possible to cover every aspect of Bata in these notes. I am finishing an instructional video and book that will cover these areas extensively.

The music presented on this tape is from the Yoruba people who lived in the Havana area of Cuba. There is a noticeable difference in the Bata drumming of Matanzas versus that of Havana. lazaro and I made a recording of the Oro Igbodu (the secret calls). This is medley of calls from the Iya Ilu to the other 2 drums of the Cuban Batas ensemble called Itotele and Okonkolo. There are only 3 Bata played in the liturgical batteries in Cuba. The Okonkolo is the smallest of them. Fernando Ortiz a noted historian and so called authority on the subject suggests that Okonkolo derives from the Yoruba word Konkolo "god or toy of the children".

The name Omele is also used to describe the smallest drum again Fernando Ortitz wrote that this name derived from the Yoruba word Omo "child" and "strong". The second to the largest drum is called Itotele which may have come from the Yoruba words toto "completely", and tele "to follow" because in most cases the Itotele answers or follows the calls or respondes to the Iya Ilu. The Iya Ilu as stated before is the mother drum and concerves with the Itotele. Their conversations are many. The Okonkolo is the child that plays a simple repetitive pattern that holds the entire family together.

In the Oro igbodu there are 21 Orishas saluted. Normaly these are performed without voices. We want to protect this knowledge but at the same time we want the world to know of its beauty and greatness. Lazaro and I are dedicated to our culture, our people and our universe. Bill Summers

Listen to mp3

dva
ebenezer.mp3
soursop.mp3
.................

ZYKADO
Sommerregen.mp3
553333355.mp3
.................

Okuta Percussion
track 1.mp3
.................

Ross Daly & Friends
Tekez.mp3
Band-e-Amir.mp3