[Friends Hall]. 11 am – 12:40 pm (Friend’s Hall): Demonstration of batá drumming of Santeria and conga drumming of rumba for the classes “Music in Latin America,” “Early Transatlantic Encounters,” and “Newswriting.” A dancer may join, too. Professors Negron and Santamaria will translate for Díaz.

o 40 minutes: Among Afro-diasporic religions, music of the batá drums is probably the most complex. The African-derived Cuban religion of Santeria uses an ensemble of three drummers to accompany sung-prayers to the divinities (orixás). Unlike other Afro-Latin religions, the different sized, double-headed, hourglass-shaped batá drums provide six distinct pitches, and the rhythmic patterns for each drum create polyrhythmic grooves. The drums are said to be conversing with each other as they also assist the prayers to call the orixás and cue trained spirit-mediums. Díaz and his accompanists will demonstrate the batá drum language and speak to its ceremonial contributions, as well as answer questions about Santeria, in which he is a religious leader.

o 40 minutes: Cuban rumba is a community dance-music tradition originating in Afro-Cuban neighborhoods, where people gathered on Sundays and holidays to sing, drum, flirt through dance, and socialize. An ensemble of two or more conga drums along with hand percussion accompanied songs as dancers moved in couples or as soloists. The lead conga drum interacts with the dancers while coordinating the other percussionists. Díaz will explain and demonstrate these duties and practices, helping students improve their basic ability to play congas and other Cuban percussion, which they will have learned in previous class meetings.

o 20 minutes: Q&A