1. 2. Rhythm for Yemaya 0:40
  2. 3. Songs for Agayu 0:52
  3. 5. Presentation of Two Yemayas 0:38
  4. 6. Chango oba, ni koso 0:39
  5. 8. Drumming presentation Palo and Anya 0:30
  6. 9. Ahora si, se partio la siguaralla 0:40
  7. 11. Güiro for Ogun 0:55
  8. 12. Bembe Macagua History and Drumming Demonstrations 2:55
  9. 13. Bembe Macagua for Ogun 0:44
  10. 14. Bembe Macagua for Oshun 0:30

Reviews & Testimonials

It isn't often that you see drumming so revered by a community that is itself so focused around the drum. And it is rare indeed to cross the line from social to sacred: from drumming for fun to drumming for the gods. La Fuerza straps you into the front seat on a trip to Matanzas, Cuba…the viewer can almost feel the humidity, smell the cigars, and taste the Havana Club.Brad Boynton

It serves as an excellent document of the enduring tradition of the drum, and its integral position in the folk dance, song and belief from West Africa throughout the Diaspora. The honesty of this humble production adds to the value of its authenticity. The interviews were a bonus.Baba Alade Olamina

"La Fuerza del Tambor" is a priceless collection of live footage, lecture-demonstrations, and interviews from Matanzas. It includes landmark footage of Makagua drums, as well as fascinating, in-depth conversations with Alfredo Calvo and his drummers. This DVD is a must for all Santeros and students of Cuban folklore.Chris Walker

It is highly informative, especially on the subject of Matanzas traditions. The footage is great; made me feel like being there again. I am sure I will watch your film over and over again, and study the drumming, too.Thomas Altman

Kabiosile continues to generate our respect and further interest. Here they offer a direct, honest insider's perspective of how practitioners in Cuba elicit the attention of the orishas….Ceremonies, in the form of cantos, güiro or bembé, are interspersed with concise question and answer segments (filmed separately and nicely edited) featuring some of the percussionists. It's a smart format that creates a context for each musical segment.Bruce Polin

Kabiosile Productions and Tina Gallagher have done it once again. The new ethnographic DVD, La Fuerza del Tambor, shot entirely on location in Matanzas, Cuba, is another captivating window into the world of Lukumí religion, and in this case Afro-Cuban drumming, in that other Cuban Mecca, Matanzas.Willie Ramos

Release Details

Artists

Alfredo Calvo, feat. Alberto Puñales, Arnelio Urrutia

Format

DVD, 90 minutes

Description

The Power of the Drum (La Fuerza del Tambor) is a field recording documenting the ritual music of the Lucumi Santeria spiritual tradition as played in Matanzas, Cuba. Nine selections from three different public drumming celebrations illustrate drum rhythms, songs and dancing for the Orisha, including rare footage of the Bembe Macagua drums and an unusual segment of Palo songs accompanied by Aña.

In addition, there are interviews with Alfredo Calvo, ibae, elder of the Egwado branch of the Santeria religion, and two drumming demonstrations: Palo rhythms played on Aña, and three styles of bembe drumming for the Orishas (Majino Arara from Perico, Sabalu Arara from Matanzas, and Macagua Lucumi from Matanzas).

Lyric subtitles are included for all the songs. Interviews are in Spanish with English subtitles.

Track Listing
  1. Interview: The Power of the Drum
  2. Rhythm for Yemaya
  3. Songs for Agayu
  4. Interview: Presenting Iyawos
  5. Presentation of Two Yemayas
  6. Chango oba ni koso (Chango, the King of Dancing)
  7. Interview: Palo and Aña
  8. Drumming Presentation: Palo and Aña
  9. Ahora si, se partió la siguaralla (Palo songs played on Aña)
  10. Interview: Mixing the Drums Together
  11. Güiro for Ogun
  12. Bembe Macagua: History and Drumming Demonstrations
  13. Bembe Macagua for Ogun
  14. Bembe Macagua for Oshun
  15. Teaching the Next Generation

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La Fuerza del Tambor DVD

La Fuerza del Tambor Video

Artist : Alfredo Calvo
Genre : Afro-Cuban Folkloric

The Power of the Drum (La Fuerza del Tambor) is a field recording documenting the ritual music of the Lucumi Santeria spiritual tradition as played in Matanzas, Cuba. Nine selections from three different public drumming celebrations illustrate drum rhythms, songs and dancing for the Orisha, including rare footage of the Bembe Macagua drums and an unusual segment of Palo songs accompanied by Aña.

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