Skip to main content

Shangó

Miguel Santa Cruz, Gustavo Díaz, and Juan González
Audio
Shangó
Small bells tied around the top of the lead drum of this Cuban batádrum trio can be heard as it plays a salute to the Lukumi god, Shangó. Shangó originated as the god of thunder in West African Yoruba culture and was imported with Yoruba slaves to Cuba where he found a place in the religious practices of Santeria (also known as Lukumi). Shangó is also considered the owner of the batá drums.