Moving your body back and forth to the rhythms of a Bata drum is a highly indigenous and professional skill which takes consistent and willful practice.
For years, Nigerian Bata dance have enjoyed global acceptance not just for being another source of entertainment but also because it harnesses the yoruba culture, bringing it to limelight. The music and dance of Bata is a ritual move used to appease and communicate with ‘Sango’, a local deity in Yoruba land often regarded as the God of lightening. Sango was the third king of the ancient Oyo Empire, established by the yoruba.
Traditionally, Bata places much emphasis on it religious origins and focuses on the praises and chant of ‘Sango’. It’s entertainment sector gives room for local acrobatics as part of dance. Bata drums produce the music and rhythms to Bata dances and are usually magnificent ornate drums. They consist of the lead drums, “Iya Ilu” and the backup drums called “Omele”. The lead drum is often adorned with brass rattlers also known as “Saworo Ide”.
A typical bata dance takes the structure of a, b, c, d, e.a – is the arrival with songs and dances, b – signifies “ijuba” which means salutation and homage, which is achieved through chants and dances. C – is the section of entertainment, it is the period when a variety of dances are performed. This section takes different forms; the ABACADA rondo form can be identifiable as well as the tenancy form and various other forms.
Bata dance epitomizess a rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. It is an important aspect of most Yoruba festivals. It polycentric in nature, makes it very different from other Nigerian dances. It dancers” body is usually segmented into different areas of movement with each part dedicated to different movements. This dance is difficult to master and notate, requiring continuous and skill practice.
Despite individual nuances and improvisations, there are basic standards of the bata dance. This essentially differentiates the virtuoso from the ordinary dancer.
The steps and formation depend on this dexterity and on other variable such as the nature of the group, types of staging, the occasion of the performance and the number of dancers, which also vary from one group to the other.
What do you think about the Bata druming, the dance, and the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people? Let me hear hear your thoughts.
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