Toque de santo: I tamburi batá e le musiche per gli orichas nella Santería cubana

marco lutzu

2023-01-01

---

Abstract

The article analyses one of the most important rituals of Cuban Santería, the Toque de santo, which aims to invoke the descent of the orichas on earth through singing accompanied by the batá drums. After describing the instruments, considered sacred by the believers, and the players, singular figures of musician-priests, the structure and meaning of the ritual is analysed, as well as the functions that music and dance play in it. The musicological analysis carried out on field recordings is complemented by the testimonies of musicians, dancers or simple practitioners who offer their views on the nature, effects and benefits of the encounter with the spirits.