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153 aberikulá unconsecrated batá drums aché the power to make things happen aguardiente fire water, strong alcohol ahínamá common colloquial expression, meaning “it’s just right, keep it right there” akpwon lead singer in a Santería ceremony aleyo non-initiate in Santería aluya an honor or homage, a special toque rhythm for oricha especially when used to create high energy and induce trance possession (e.g., Meta for Changó or Twi Twi for Oyá) amalá ritual dish of cornmeal porridge prepared for Changó Añá the spirit of the drum, the spirit of sound, very closely associated with the batá drums and the oricha Changó ángel de la guarda guardian angel, main oricha that “owns” a person’s head arayé argument, discord, negative energy asere colloquial for buddy, friend, derived from “I salute you” in the language of the Abakuá secret society babalawo high priest in the Yoruba tradition , diviner par excellence banté cloth apron used to adorn the batá drums for sacred ceremonies batá trio of hourglass-shaped, doubleheaded talking drums of the Yoruba people preserved in Cuba batalero batá drummer bembé a music party celebrating the oricha bonkó Afro-Cuban word meaning friend, or brother brujería literally witchcraft, used as a synonym for all Afro-Cuban religious practice (sometimes, but not always, pejorative) cabrón rascal canto a song for the oricha carro particular taxi that goes up and down main thoroughfares in Havana, usually old-model American cars chachá the smaller head of the batá drum chancletica small leather strap used to play batá in Matanzas, Cuba Changó Yoruba deity of thunder, lightning , dance, drum, and male virility chapista auto body repair person chavito slang term for Cuban “convertible pesos” equivalent to the U.S. dollar chaworó necklace of bells placed on both sides of the lead drum (iyá) of the batá ensemble, used to attract positive energy and keep away evil spirits clave rhythmic pattern that guides most Afro-Cuban music collares color-coded bead necklaces that represent the various Yoruba oricha comparsa neighborhood-based music groups that perform in carnival proGl o s s ar y Glossary 154 cessions; another name for the conga rhythm that they play conga procession rhythm and happening from eastern Cuba (especially Guantánamo and Santiago) coño an exclamation, “Damn!” criollo/a black Cuban born of parents brought directly from Africa (africanos de nación) dar coco literally “to give coconut,” a Lucumí divination ritual with coconut derecho money earned for any service within the context of Afro-Cuban religion or music ebbó sacrifice in Yoruba tradition ecobio brother, fellow member of an Abakuá lodge efun white powder used in Lucumí (Yoruba ) religious practice eggun ancestor ekelekuá an Afro-Cuban version of “oopsy daisy” or “there we go” Eleguá Yoruba oricha of the crossroads, decisions, all languages, insatiable appetites empeó judge (la ley), a role or position within the Abakuá society enú the larger head of the batá drum fardela a brownish, wax-like paste applied to the larger head of the iyá (and sometimes itótele) to adjust the pitch fundamento refers to consecrated batá drums, or anything regarding Santería that is considered to have deep roots golpe drum lick or phrase guagua bus guajiro country person, farmer guapería gangster behavior guaposo tough guy, gangster güiro a beaded gourd instrument (aka chequeré); also a style of music/ensemble that is used to celebrate the oricha instead of batá Ibaé Tonú Rest in Peace invento a creation or invention that adds on to an established way of playing itá divination ceremony held on the third day of the seven-day-long Santería initiation ritual called kariocha itótele middle drum of the batá ensemble iyá largest and lead drum of the batá ensemble iyawó new initiate into Santería, literally “wife” of the oricha Iyesá refers to a Yoruba subgroup brought in large numbers from West Africa to Cuba, and to specific drums and drum rhythms they use on the island juego Abakuá lodge juramento swearing in, initiation as a ritual drummer kpuatakí master batá drummer and teacher llame a call played by the lead drum (iyá) to initiate specific rhythmic sequences (toques) Lucumí said to have been a greeting among enslaved Yoruba during colonial times, it refers to Yoruba-descended people and culture (religion, language, music, food, etc.) in Cuba madrina godmother, initiator into the religion of Santería maferefun Yoruba for “Give praise to . . .” used to express thankfulness or reverence...

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