The Drums

Santeria drumming is played on three double headed hourglass shaped drums, the bata. Six hands integrate a complex rhythm with nuances of tonalities. The traditions state that the sacred bata drums have aña. They are supernatural beings in their own right and have to be fed. Animals and food are sacrificed to them as they are to the Orishas. The aña inside the drum is no t at the mercy of the drummer. Each ilu, or drum, has its specific name. The smallest drum is the okonkolo. The medium drum is the itotele. The largest bata drum is the iya. It is known as the "mother" of the drums. The iya must be pla yed by the olubata, the best musician of the trio. The bata are played by three seated drummers having the drums lying on their knees and held in place by a strap or cord under their thighs. If they happen to march, the drums are suspended from their necks by the straps.