The Santeria musical tradition as it is known today has its origins in the 300,000 African Slaves brought to Cuba by European (mostly Spanish) immigrants during the 1800’s.To maintain a connection to their colorful Yoruba religion the Slaves manufactured many percussion instruments which they used to relive and preserve the rhythms of their beloved Africa.Prevalent among these instruments were of course the Tambores (drums) which took many different shapes and forms:
Bongo –A pair of drums attached to each other the larger drum is the Hembra (female) and the smaller is the Macho (male).Some experts believe that Bongo drums evolved from the Abakua drum trio ‘Bonko Enmiweows’.Bongos were immortalized by Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) in his famous rendition of Babalu Aye.
Bata Drums – Believed to date back about 500 years.In the Yoruba tradition Bata drums were introduced to the world by the Oricha Chango.The Bata drum starts gaining worldwide recognition in the 1930’s when folklore music was publicly performed in Cuban radio.Today these sacred drums are being used in Timba, Jazz and even hip hop.
Conga Drums – A descendant of the Makuta drum and similar drums of African descent.Today conga players are called Congueros. In Spanish these drums are also called Tumbadoras. Although they originated in Cuba and their principal use is for Sacred Religious music and Rumba they are used in many other types of popular latin beats such as Merengue, Salsa and Regetton.The word Conga comes from the Carnival Conga line and has been immortalized by Cuban Artists Desi Arnaz and more recently Gloria Estefan.
The Gift of Santeria to the world is a rich tradition of music, rhythm and folklore.Divinafe salutes the many talented artists that enrich and nourish this ancient religion.
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