African Drums Series

Drumming is a vital part of the cultural heritage in Africa. In occasions like weddings, funerals etc. there must be drummers around. It is also a common sight in many African cities and towns to see drummers playing on weekends even without having any specific invitation to big occasions. These drummers could stop by and many celebrants allow such drummers – with restrictions on their performances – to join the celebration so that they can make some money. This way, the tradition of passing the art of drumming which often appears effortless, but which involves very difficult process and long apprenticeship, to live on.
Nigeria is an interesting African country where there is so much to be proud of with respect to arts and culture. Drumming especially is a vital part of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria. Drummers are referred to as Ayan in Yoruba language. Drums are used in special occasions, festivals, carnivals, ceremonies. Drums are differentiated by the sound they make, how they are made, history, and appearance. For Yoruba people, ceremonies dictate the kind of drums to use. Here is a look at Bata, a very important cultural drum among the Yoruba people in Nigeria.

Bata

Bata is a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass with one cone larger than the other. It’s a very important drum used in religious functions, festivals, carnivals and coronations. It’s also used to convey messages of hope, divination, praise and war.
A set of Bata consists of three drums of different sizes. The drums are similar in shape to an hourglass and each drum has two different sized heads. The Bata are played sitting down with the drum placed horizontally on the knees. This allows the drummer to play with both hands.
The biggest of the three drums in a Bata set is called Iya (translate mother in English language). Iya leads the group, playing long, complex patterns with many variations and initiates conversations with the other two drums. Iya is often adorned with a garland of bells and bronze caps called Saworo which enrich the vibrations and the timbre when the drummer plays the instrument.
The Itotele, the middle-sized drum of Bata set, plays long but less complex patterns with some variations as well as answering and occasionally initiating conversations.
The Okónkolo is the smallest of the three and it plays short, simple patterns with occasional conversations and variations.
Bata drums are made from wooden frame work, leather, thick brooms for support, wire work, a black substance placed on the drum surface and cowries while the drumsticks are made from leather.
Bata is an awesomely beautiful cultural drum set and very important in Yoruba history and art.

Sources:
gogeafrica.tv
cometonigeria.com