Afro-Cuban Traditions
Congo, Abakua, Arara
Palo/Mayombe
Palo traditions come from the Bantú people of Central Africa
(particularly from Congo). The Bantú represent the majority
of African slaves coming into Cuba during the 17th and early 18th
century; later the Yoruba (from Nigeria) became the primary group
brought to Cuba as slaves. Drums and hand rattles are used in this
music, which is based upon communication with ancestral spirits,
the dead, as opposed to the Orishas. The songs and chants, often
in a hybrid combination of Spanish and Bantú words, play
a central role in the rituals of Palo. Music of this tradition has
had a strong influence on popular music forms like Rumba, Son and
Mambo.
Yuka
Yuka is a popular form of secular Congo music that was played during
the 19th century and incorporated Yuka drums. Yuka dancing imitates
the body language of chickens and roosters, and features the vacunao,
a pelvic thrust that is also used in rumba and other dances derived
from the Congo.
Abakua
Abakua comes from the Calabar region of West Africa. Its special
songs and drums are derived from all-male secret societies. These
traditions retain many of the elements of African mystical ritual
practice.
Arara
From the Fon people and the Arara kingdom of the Dahomean region,
now known as Benin, Arara rhythms, songs and dances were introduced
into eastern Cuba through Haiti, where many of those rituals and
ceremonies are still practiced.
Makuta
Makuta is a social dance of Congo origin. The makuta drums are a
forebear of the conga drums. In Cuba, makuta refers to a
festive gathering or a type of ritual staff, which is used at certain
moments in Palo ceremonies to strike the ground in a rhythmic accompaniment
to a song or dance.
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