The batá is a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass with one cone larger than the other. It is sacred to the Yoruba religion in Nigeria, as well as to worshippers of Santería in Cuba and in the United States. For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... The Yorùbá are the largest ethnic group in Nigeria, comprising approximately 26 percent of that countrys total population, and numbering about close to 100 million individuals throughout the region of West Africa. ... The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country in West Africa and, by far, the most populated nation in Africa. ... Lukumí, Regla de Ocha or Afro-Cuba, most widely known as Santeria, (Santería in Spanish) is a set of related religious systems that superficially seem to fuse Catholic beliefs with traditional Yorùbá beliefs. ... The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago in the northern Caribbean that lies at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. ... The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ...

There are three sizes of batá drums, the "okónkolo" (smallest), "itótele" (medium) and "iyà" (largest). These are played simultaneously (often with a cowbell or "aggogó") to create polyrhythmic compositions, or "toques" during santería ceremonies. A ceremony with batá drums is generally known as a "toque de batá", but ceremonies can also be accompanied by "chékere" ensembles, taking the place of the drums. There are estimated to be at least 140 different toques for the gods, or orishas and their different manifestations. The most important sequence of rhythms is an introductory toque used in most ceremonies which includes 14 standard rythms for all the orichas. Categories: Stub | Hats ... Categories: Stub | Hats ... An abwe or chekeré is a musical Cuba that uses gourds. ... This article is about the type of spirit. ...

Though largely restricted to religious music, batà drums and rhythms have started to be used in other genres, most notably in Cuban timba, jazz and hip hop. Timba is the Cuban variant of salsa music, and is often understood to be a sub-category of salsa. ... Jazz is a musical art form characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms, and improvisation. ... Hip hop is a cultural movement that began amongst urban African American youth in New York and has since spread around the world. ...