1st Edition

Ancient Text Messages of the Yoruba Bata Drum Cracking the Code

192 Pages

by Routledge

192 Pages

by Routledge

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Description

The bata is one of the most important and representative percussion traditions of the people in southwest Nigeria, and is now learnt and performed around the world. In Cuba, their own bata tradition derives from the Yoruba bata from Africa yet has had far more research attention than its African predecessor. Although the bata is one of the oldest known Yoruba drumming traditions, the drum and its... Read more

Contents: Preface; The telegraph without wire; An extension of mouth: how the Bàtá talks; Other voices: the Omele Méta and the Ìyáàlù Dùndún; Speaking in codes: Enà Bàtá; Epilogue: Bàtá is the mouthpiece of Awo; Appendices; Bibliography; Discography; Index.

Author(s)

Biography

Dr Amanda Villepastour, University of Cardiff, UK.

Critics' Reviews

‘… the book is a most important contribution not only to the study of bàtá message drumming, but to the study of the Yorùbá language, its representations on "talking" instruments, and many adjoining areas of research, including the organology of the bàtá set and Yorùbá culture history in general.’ Gerard Kubik in African Music

‘Villepastour’s research and analyses are remarkable for breaking apart and decoding the puzzle that is Yorùbá bàtá speech.’ Anthropos

‘… highly recommended for students in African ethnomusicology, drumming researchers, and those interested in learning a bit more about Yoruba drumming language. I guarantee it will speak to you.’ Inside world Music

'… this book is a tour de force. It is a welcome resource for organologists, ethnomusicologists, and drummers; and it also offers much of interest to linguists, anthropologists, and persons involved inAfrican Studies.' Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society