bata

A ceremonial double-headed drum played in triplet in the religion of santería, especially in Cuba and Puerto Rico, originally from the Yoruba of Nigeria.

Noun

  1. A ceremonial double-headed drum played in triplet in the religion of santería, especially in Cuba and Puerto Rico, originally from the Yoruba of Nigeria.
    • Two guitars, bata, bass drum and tambourine. - 1990 October 28, Paul Simon, “The Rhythm of the Saints”, in The Coast, Warner Bros.:
    • Five drummers in front setting the dance—three beating barrel drums, a fourth beating a double-skin bata, and the fifth beating four small bata tied together. - 2019, Marlon James, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Hamish...

Origin

From Yoruba bàtá.

Forms

bata batá bàtá