Sacred Rhythms of Cuban Santeria

Various Artists - International - Caribbean & Cuba | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 1995)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DKZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,640 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba

Editorial Reviews

These recordings of Santería drumming and singing rituals feature four Cuban Santería groups calling the gods (orishas) by performing rythmic sequences called orus. Recorded in the Cuban provinces of Matanzas and Havana City in 1983–1984, these ceremonies and drums have their roots in the ancient Yoruba religion of Africa and are rarely heard outside of Cuba. Notes in English and Spanish. 24 tracks.

"A music at once raw and elegant, powerful and subtle." –Miami Herald

Estas grabaciones, que registran rituales de tambores y cantos de Santería, muestran las interpretaciones de cuatro grupos de Santería cubana en el evento de convocar a los dioses (orishas) a través de secuencias rítmicas llamadas orus. Estas ceremonias, grabadas en la provincia cubana de Matanzas y en La Habana en 1983 – 1984, tienen sus orígenes en la antigua religión Yoruba del África y son raramente conocidas fuera de Cuba. Notas en español e inglés, 24 cortes.

" Una música a la vez rústica y elegante, poderosa y sutil." – Miami Herald

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Music for Ritual Use, November 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sacred Rhythms of Cuban Santeria (Audio CD)

The liner notes which are written in Spanish do not provide a person who is not familiar with Santeria with enough details. The intiates in the various houses of worship are secretive about thier specific rituals. Because the "Seven Powers of Africa," are well known in Cuba outside of the Lukumi devotees, the music is offered as a type of ethnomusicology recording for outsiders.If you are working with a specific Orisha in front of your Altar put this CD on and chant with the sacred drummers. This CD can aid worshipers in asking the spirits to come down. It is like a Gospel record for a Baptist.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!, August 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sacred Rhythms of Cuban Santeria (Audio CD)

Being an initiate of the religon....I can fully appreciate the music and it's essence. I currently live in Iowa, this my little piece of heaven. ASHE' to everyone!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars straight from the source - invaluable, June 15, 2000

By 

"[e-mail]" (los angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Rhythms of Cuban Santeria (Audio CD)

This cd is an invaluable resource for those interested in the rhythm and song traditions of cuban santeria. A collection of field recordings documenting cojuntos in matanzas and havana. This cd is raw but authentic.