Batala (music)

The name Batalá is a combination of the phrase "bate lá" meaning "hit there" in Portuguese and Obatalá (Oxalá), the Candomblé deity who is the father of the Orixas and of all humanity.

[1] Batalá was founded in Paris in 1997 by Giba Gonçalves,[2] a Bahian percussionist with links to Ilê Aiyê, Olodum, Muzenza, Male Debale, Jimmy Cliff, Tupi Nago, and Kaoma.

In order to maintain a connection to Cortejo Afro while simultaneously creating an independent musical group, Gonçalves adapted and changed much of their repertoire for use in Batala.

The international Batala family shares the samba reggae musical arrangements and percussion breaks composed by Gonçalves, as well as graphics, costumes, and choreography.

The band's official colours are red, black, and white, but logo variants among the groups as well as drum skins sometimes include green and yellow reflecting the Brazilian national flag.

[10] Prospective members generally contact group leaders to find out about rehearsal times and dates in order to join the band.