congaplace.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOxaJ1xCpSU

Take a look at the Okonkolo, with the wooden color and center 4 "circular ribs". That's the EXACT Okonkolo I have (my Itotele and Iya also have the same design...but the guy in the video has different ones).

Mine were originally made in Cuba. has anyone else seen this design and can tell me a maker or brand name?

On EDIT:

Actually, my Okonkolo has One Rib, my Itotele has 3 ribs, and my Iya has 4 ribs. But...with the exception of the rib mismatch, they look like the same design and color. They must have had the same maker.

Here's two pictures

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-s ... 3_7210.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-s ... 4_7557.jpg

The batas that I am familiar with that have those ribs where made in the Dominican Republic.

Paz
Olsongo

Interesting development...

I got the batas from a Caucasian American jazz drummer based out of Atlanta GA. So his story goes, he studied at La I.N.A. in '99. He claims they were made by friends of his apprentice babalawo. Never got to use them much and develop his technique on them, so he was selling them.

Could you give more information about a possible maker in the Dominican Republic?

Maybe they are Dominican and were in Cuba after being bought from there? Or vice versa...maybe the Dominican ones you've seen in the past are actually Cuban exports.

Any more thoughts from others in this forum?

I have a set of sonocs, the Bata in the picture above look exactly like my sonocs minus the ribs, same hardware , same rims, even the same look of the wood from the inside, (probably cedro).
PC

I'm still interested in getting a definitive identification. Can any of the old-school masters take a look at the picture and let me know? Thank you!

Those are Cuban Sonocs for sure. I have a set also.

danno

Thank you! It's good to know for sure