Bata Dance
Photo credit: The Nigerian Voice
The Bata dance performed by the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria is a ritual dance move for the local Sango deity, the fiery god of thunder. In ancient times, the dance was a sacred means of communication between worshipers and the deity. In modern times, however, Bata dancers perform their dance routines at both secular and religious occasions.
The dance is accompanied by the three Bata drums: the iya, the largest of the them played by a master drummer; the itotele, a mid-sized drum which converses with the iya; and the okonkolo, a smaller drum which keeps rhythm. There is a close relationship between drummers and dancers as the music from the drum orders the dance routine.
Watch the Bata dance here:
