Raíces Productions - Spirit of the Drum

Collage of sequences from the Raíces Cultural Center 2010 production “The Spirit of the Drum”. Depicts some of the rhythms, songs and movements of the orishas Elegua, Yemayá, Changó and Oyá as well as the traditions of batárumba, palo and carnival.

Newsletter excerpt about the Raíces Cultural Center 2011 production "Spirit of the Drum."

Sean Battle, a performing arts intern at Raíces in 2010 wrote original poems in honor of the Orishas for the Spirit of the Drum production, while also resarching, studying and learning the history, rhythms, songs and movements associated with the…

Rumba is a secular percussion, song and dance tradition that developed on the streets in Cuba. The dance represents the chicken and the rooster, and is a flirtatious and sensual conversation between the two dancers.

Performing Eleguá at the Spirit of the Drum Production. Eleguá is the Orisha, or force of nature, of the crossroads. He is considered to be a messenger and a trickster.

Elegúa is the keeper of the crossroads. He is an Orisha, or force of nature, associated with destiny. He is known as a trickster and a messenger and is often associated with children. This image depicts a dance for Eleguá performed at the Spirit of…