Secret messages of the batá drums - Yoruba culture from Nigeria to Cuba

Mystical messages infuse the batá drumming of Nigeria’s Yoruba people. Emerging in the 6th Century royal courts of the Oyo Empire, the artform was transplanted to Cuba during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, where it became critical to the survival of African ethnic identity under Spanish colonial rule, and subsequently became embedded in Cuban culture more broadly.

This episode unveils the meanings and messages of batá drumming by bringing together the insights of three people uniquely connected to the tradition. Ms. Bosede Adetifa, from Yorubaland, is the Language and Outreach Coordinator of the Yoruba Heritage and Cultural Association of Victoria (Australia). Mr. Aloy Junco is a professional dancer and drummer from Cuba, who grew up surrounded by batá drumming. Professor Adrian Hearn is an anthropologist and drummer of English and Brazilian descent, who has lived in West Africa and Cuba to study drumming traditions. The three are collaborating in the Suns of Mercury initiative, which is funded by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Suns of Mercury create music, film, and performances with Melbourne-based artists from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Listen to Suns of Mercury’s music on Spotify.

All music in this episode is by Suns of Mercury.

Live percussion played by Adrian Hearn, Aloy Junco and Lukas Enciso

Aloy Junco's dance class can be found at https://www.cubaneoinaustralia.com

For more information about Yoruba culture in Victoria visit https://www.yhcav.org.au

The Secret Life of Language is a podcast from the University of Melbourne’s School of Languages and Linguistics. This episode was produced by Eric van Bemmel and Kelvin Param of Profactual, Gavin Nebauer, and Professor Adrian Hearn. Recorded and mixed by Gavin Nebauer at The Horwood Recording Studio, the University of Melbourne.