Batá Drums: Raíces Vivencias Estudio

By Yusniel Martínez Carranza

This book offers a profound journey into the fascinating world of Afro-Cuban culture, exploring Yoruba traditions, sacred rhythms of the batá drum, and Afro-Cuban dances. Through a spiritual, artistic, and historical perspective, the text celebrates the importance of connection to our ancestral roots and respect for the deities. With wisdom and compassion, the author extends sincere gratitude to those who have contributed to their personal and artistic development. From experiences with masters and mentors to deep reflections on faith and tradition, this book is a tribute to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Afro-Cuba.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9781304642011

Book preview

Introduction

Throughout my journey as a Cuban percussionist, I encountered whispers that embarking on writing this book would be a mistake. However, when inspiration for something as profound and significant as exploring the Batà drums and their connection to Santería in Cuba seizes one’s soul, no warning can halt the creative impulse. This book is the result of deep-rooted passion, a conviction that the stories woven within the rhythms of the drums deserve to be told. Despite external doubts, I persisted in capturing the rich musical and spiritual heritage surrounding the Batà drums in words.

This book emerges from my roots, experiences, and study. Through my roots, I sought the profound connections that bind the Batà drums to the spiritual traditions of Santería in Cuba. My experiences, marked by the echoing drums from an early age and the influence of family teachings, have shaped my understanding and appreciation for this unique form of musical and spiritual expression. My constant study, immersed in the richness of tradition, forms the foundation upon which I’ve built this narrative. In these pages, I invite you to explore with me the resonances of my roots, the experiences that forged my connection with the Batà drums, and the fruit of years dedicated to studying this singular artistic expression.

With this book, you’ll discover a little more about me and my Cuba. Each page serves as a testament to my roots, experiences, and study—a window into my intimate connection with the Batà drums and the rich tradition of Santería on the island. Beyond being a mere account of music and spirituality, this work is a personal journey that shares fragments of my history and the essence of Cuba, captured in the rhythms of these sacred drums.

My love for music has deep roots entwined with the stories and lives of my grandparents, Jose Maria Martinez Perez and Marhta del Carmen Ramos Montalvo. In a home where my dedicated fisherman father, Lazaro Martinez Ramos, and my devoted teacher mother, Miriam Carranza Cuesta, split their days between the ocean waves and classrooms, my grandparents played a fundamental role in my musical upbringing. My grandfather, affectionately known as Cheche, with his vibrant soul and passion for art, was an integral part of the Conjunto Bayamo, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. Every chord resonating in those melodies echoed his love for music—a flame that ignited my own passion. Nights were filled with songs and rhythms, and it was in that musical environment that my connection to this art form blossomed, enriching my life in unimaginable ways.

From the tender age of 6, my heart and soul fell in love with Batà music. I was always captivated by the mysterious and energetic sound of the drums. I recall that my first instrument was a tumbadora crafted by my grandfather, who was also a carpenter; holding it, I already felt the connection to an ancestral legacy.

During that time, my grandfather often played the congas. When my grandmother offered a foundational drum to her Orisha in our home, the amalgamation of sounds