Santeria Music Continues From Generations On

The Santeria religion hailed from the Nigeria region and was brought to America by Caribbean slaves working in the sugar plantations. It was mixed with the Roman Catholic and Native American traditions to form the religion it’s become today. The slaves carried with them from their native lands certain traditions that carried over into the Santeria, including communicating with the Gods and past ancestors through a trance, sacrificing of animals and rhythmatic drumming. This drumming is what lead to the santeria music that is becoming so popular with Americans who practice Santeria here in the states.  This beautiful bata drumming is the basis of the santeria music.

Some say that the music relaxes the soul others insist they can’t listen to the music without wanting to get and dance themselves. What is a common denominator is that the music, the listener and the performer is calling the Gods (Orishas) by performing or singing a rhythmic sequence called orus. This helps the listener and performer in asking the spirits to come down and be with them. One might liken this experience to a Baptist listening to gospel recordings.  This Afro-Cuban music engages a great deal of percussion including various types of drums and chanting or singing to go along with it. Various recordings of ceremonies have emerged and been edited down to CD length so that they can be sold commercially and enjoyed far away from the traditional ceremony sites. 

Many Cubans and Nigerians away from home yearn for the music of their homeland. These chantings and drumming help them to stay close to their religious upbringings. Because they can’t go to church usually as Christians can, the santeria music serves as a substitute for the Santeria worshipper.  DVDs and live CDs have been recorded in Matanzas, Cuba, which is considered the source of the Afro Cuban religions in Cuba.  Another sought after recording is that of theoru cantado.  This is a complete cycle of songs for all of the Orishas (gods and goddesses)  Through the music, the ancient traditions and folklore is kept alive as it was in the days it originally left Africa. It allows a history and a religion to live on in generation after generation.