Glossary

abakuá: Secret societies originating in the Calabar region between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Añá: The force within the Bata drums.

Arará: Slaves and traditions from Benin (formerly Dahomey).

Asiento: Initiation ceremony in Santeria.

Babalao: High priest of Santeria.

Babalocha: Men initiated into Santeria

Babalú-Ayé: Orisha of illness.

Bantu: Language family and cultural complex from Central Africa.

Batá: Set of three double-headed drums of Yoruba origin: Iya (Mother) is the largest; Itotele (messenger) is the second largest, and Okonkolo (child) is the smallest. The calls of the Iya are answered by the other two drums in the conversacion or dialogue of the ritual. The Iya also marks the viros or changes in rhythmic pattern.

Bembé: Religious celebration of Yoruba origin.

Cabildo: Communal societies established by free blacks and slaves that belonged to the same ethnic group.

Clave: Set of two wooden sticks that mark a 3-2 or 2-3 rhythmic pattern of West African origin.

Congo: Slaves and religious practices of Bantu origin.

Lukumí: Slaves and traditions of Yoruba origin.

Makuta: Archaic drums, dance and music of Congo origin that gave rise to the guaguancó and columbia in the rumba complex.

Ñáñigo: Member of the abakuá society.

Nganga: Earthen pot used by paleros to work their magic in Monte and Mayombe rituals. Also known as prenda.

Obi: Coconut. Used in Santería for divination.

Palero: High priest of Monte and Mayombe, Afro-Cuban rituals of Congolese origin.

Toque: Rhythmic patterns played by drums.

Yuka: Music, drums and dance of Congolese origin that gave rise to the yambú or slow rumba.