La Fuerza del Tambor
Live recording of a Santeria ceremony
in Matanzas, Cuba

DVD
time: 90 minutes
in Spanish with English subtitles

produced by Kabiosile

“The Power of the Drum” offers a look inside the Santeria religion as it is practiced in Matanzas, Cuba - considered by many to be the region where the African roots of the religion are strongest and best preserved. The DVD features eight segments from authentic, live Santeria drumming celebrations for the Orishas.

Five of the segments showcase the sacred bata drums, called Aña, which are the most fundamental form of communication with the African deities knows as Orishas.

Two other segments feature the Lucumi Bembe Macagua drums never before seen outside Matanzas. Another, highly unusual segment contains almost 10 minutes of rarely seen or heard Palo songs accompanied by the sacred bata drums.

Each segment or group of segments is introduced by an interview with Alfredo Calvo, one of the most respected Santeros in Matanzas, and members of his ile (Ocha house) talking about some aspect of what the viewer is about to see.

There are also several drumming demonstrations:
~ Palo rhythms played on bata
~ Bembe Macagua rhythms and songs
~ Two styles of Arara drumming

DVD chapters

The Power of the Drum - an interview about the power of the drums to communicate with the Orishas

Rhythm for Yemaya - one of the young bata drummers goes all out for Yemaya

Songs for Agayu - a full cycle of songs for the Orisha of the volcano

Presenting Iyawos - an interview about how new initiates are presented to the sacred drums in Matanzas

Presentation of Two Yemayas - Alfredo Calvo prays to Yemaya through song to bring her down on her two newest initiates

Chango, the King of Dance - a priest possessed by Chango dances in front of the sacred bata drums

Palo and Ana - an interview about the relationship of the various African religions to each other

"Now, the strong stick has been broken" - an unusual sequence of Palo Mayombe songs accompanied by the Lucumi bata drums

Mixing the Drums - an interview about the power of mixing several types of African drums together in one celebration

Guiro for Ogun - the conga drums and shekeres join the bata drums to play for Ogun

Bembe Macagua - an interview about the history of the Bembe Macagua drums, followed by an extensive demonstration of these unusual drums

Bembe Macagua for Ogun - a live tambor featuring the Bembe Macagua drums and some great dancing for Ogun

Bembe Macagua for Ochun - Ochun joins the party to dance in front of the Bembe drums being played in her honor

reviews of the DVD

Baba Alade Olamina, Los Angeles, CA
"It serves as an excellent document of the enduring tradition of the drum, and its integral position in the folk dance, song and belief from West Africa throughout the Diaspora. The honesty of this humble production adds to the value of its authenticity. "

Chris Walker, Oakland, CA
"La Fuerza del Tambor" is a priceless collection of live footage, lecture-demonstrations, and interviews from Matanzas. It includes landmark footage of Makawa drums, as well as fascinating, in-depth conversations with Alfredo Calvo and his drummers. This DVD is a must for all Santeros and students of Cuban folklore."

Thomas Altman Hamburg, Germany
" It is highly informative, especially on the subject of Matanzas traditions. The footage is great; made me feel like being there again. I am sure I will watch your film over and over again, and study the drumming, too."

Shannon Northcutt, Denver, CO
"It is very special to have such an intimate view into the world of the Orisha, Santeros, Bata drumming, and traditional bembes."

Vanessa Lindberg, Eureka, CA
"The interviews are inspiring... And the words to the songs! Yeah, baby. That ain't been done before."

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