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Ezequiel's
Hand-Made Percussion Instruments
Batá Drums
Batá Drums
| Checkeres & Other Percussion
| Miniatures
Ezequiel learned the art and tradition
of drum-making in his homeland of Cuba, where elders taught
him how to make batás,
congas, shekerés and cajones drums as well as beautiful
beaded tapestries that "dress" the drums (bantes). Batá
drums have been used for Orisha worship in the United States
since the 1960s. The hourglass-shaped batá
drums are played as a set of three:
- Iyá
(mother)
- Itótele
(he who follows in rank)
- Okónkolo
(small child)
Ezequiel also learned the importance
these creations carry within the tradition and the respect
and care with which they must be treated. He is now recognized
as one of the top drum carvers in the United States. His drums have been part of
two exhibits at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida:
At
the Crossroads, Afro-Cuban Orisha Arts (2001) and
Caribbean
Percussion Traditions in Miami (1998). To order handmade
batá drums, contact Ezequiel at (305)
651-3966 or ezebata1@yahoo.com.
Below are images of batá drums
made by Ezequiel Torres. Click on the thumbnails below to view
larger versions.
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