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LP
endorsers Chembo
Corniel (left), Fatoye Chris
Theberge (center) along with percussionist
Matt Baranello on LP
Bata Drums.
By Fatoye Chris Theberge
The bata drumming system dates back to the 14th century, originating from the Oyo Kingdom of Nigeria during the reign of King Shango. The bata drums are said to belong to the deified King and are built and are played by descendants of "Ayan" who is the Yoruba deity of percussion music. The bata started its global journey out of Nigeria during the Atlantic slave trade and was transplanted to Cuba by the ever-resourceful slaves and their descendants.
 First in Cuba, and later in the U.S, the Bata began to play a central role in the fusion of Yoruba Ifa traditional belief with Catholicism known as "Santeria." While the lineage of the Ayan bata drummers (known as Aña in Cuba) has been transplanted in the New World, it is no longer transmitted through blood line, and instead, is taught by elder to apprentice. Cuban bata drumming has assimilated various musical stylings, nevertheless, one can clearly make out many Yoruba words relating to the Orisha (traditional Yoruba deities) in the rhythms of the Bata.
Since the arrival of the bata drum in the U.S. during the late 50’s and early 60’s credited in large part to Francisco Aguabella of Matanzas, Cuba and Julito Collazo of Havana (of Mongo’s seminal Drums & Chants recording), there has been a steady interest in Bata Drumming both in religious and secular settings. There are now over 100 recordings featuring Bata drumming and LP has developed a successful line of commercial Bata Drums
How to get started learning Bata: The Bata is
a rich and complex drumming system, which cannot be learned by just "picking it up". It requires study, and respect for the tradition from which it is derived. As with all traditional cultural systems, it should be learned from a competent teacher. This instructional book/cd, "The Music Of Santería"--
Traditional Rhythms of the Batá Drums:
The Oru Del Igbodu " by John Amira and Steven Corneliusis a good
reference to accompany, not replace, studying bata with a qualified teacher:
For recorded examples of Bata Drumming, an excellent starting point is this cd recording featuring Cuban bata master Regino Jimenez performing on LP Bata Drums and includes traditional songs as well. Grupo Ilu Aña: Sacred Rhythms.
The following audio file is a drumming excerpt from the Bata liturgy known as the "Oru del Igbodu", more commonly known as the "Oru Seco". The word "seco" means "dry" in Spanish and refers to the fact that this piece is drummed without singing. The Oru Seco is a sequential chain of drum praises to the major Orisas, and is the starting point to serious study of the Cuban Bata drum.
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