BÀTÁ

(ba-ta)

The original family of traditional bata drums from Yorubaland, with a distinctive "throaty" tone on the large side and very sharp slap sound on the small side. Played by hand on the large end and with a strip of leather (bilala) on the smaller end.

The tuning paste on the lower end controls the drum's tone.

 

Traditionally, these drums are played in a set of at least three and they are used for traditional religious or social settings (for which the drummers must be initiated).

As with other Yoruba drums, it is the l