by onile » Tue Jan 31, 2006 7:36 pm
Alafia Abures!
May you all be well and in an abundance of blessings!
Now, this comment/question doesn't have anything to do with drummin' per say, but just around the time spiritual gatherings started gettin' noticed here in the states, probably more so in the South region.
Long before the spiritual gatherings became enmeshed with instruments (organ, piano, guitar, etc), there used to be those that would have bastones (canes, or walking sticks), and they would tap out a rhythm (keeping time), while other members would play palma (clap with their hands). Now you've gotta understand, this was done in a beautiful syncopative manner, not just quarter notes, but clave and building it up from there. Adding to this cocophony of rhythm, they then added their voices, coro (chorus), and pregones (lead singer), all of this was done in praise/worship. The fact of the matter however, is that this was also how news was conveyed in the community as well. As some of us here in the states might know, this was really common right around the era of slavery and coming out of it.
There was a special report some years ago which I saw on cable, in which they had presented a couple of groups which had preserved this practice, and let me tell you, it was beautiful. Somehow, we have always found a way to offer praise and worship through song and music!
Now for the question part of my post, has anyone else out there seen this documentary, and if so what was the name of it? I don't remember exactly what it was called.
Many blessings!
Onile!
Edited By onile on 1138736277
Que Nsambi les acutare pa' siempre!