If you’ve attended Batala Washington’s yearly Be a Drummer for a Day event, you may find learning these terms useful.
A Cultura
|
The Culture |
Adeus / Tchau
|
Goodbye |
Agogô |
Musical instrument similar to an iron cowbell and stick that is played in traditional Yoruba music as well as in samba baterias |
Atabaque
|
Drum played in religious settings |
Até logo
|
See you later |
Axé
|
A Yoruba word used in Candomblé religion that means life force, divine power, essence of being or existence, but also has a similar meaning to “amen.” Also used as colloquial expression in Bahia to greet or express good vibes, agreement, well-being. Also describes a genre of music. |
Bahia |
A state in northeastern Brazil which has the capital city of Salvador, the birthplace of Samba Reggae music. “Bahia” also means “bay” in Portuguese. |
Baiano(a) |
Someone from the state of Bahia |
Banda |
Band |
Banda Feminina |
Female Band |
Banda de Percussão |
Percussion Band |
Batucada |
The drumming sounds that the band makes |
Bebidas |
Drinks |
Bem-vindos(as) |
Welcome |
Bloco |
Group of masqueraders marching/dancing/playing with a particular band |
Blocos-Afro |
Afro-Blocos (Afro-Brazilian organizations that plan and put on samba-reggae parades during Carnival, common in Salvador. Like a samba school, but these organizations are Afro-centric in their cultural themes and community-driven purpose and play samba-reggae. They typically have many other social functions and may serve as the community center in a neighborhood) |
Boa noite |
Good night |
Boa tarde |
Good afternoon |
Bom dia |
Good morning |
Caixa |
Snare drum |
Canção / Canto |
Song / Chant |
Candomblé |
A West African based religion primarily influenced by Yoruba, but also Fon and Bantu ethnic groups, spiritual traditions with some Catholic elements. It is practiced by many throughout Brazil, but especially in Bahia where the religious iconography is interwoven throughout the cultural landscape. |
Carnaval |
Carnival |
Dança |
Dance |
Desfile |
Parade |
Diversão |
Fun |
Dobra |
Smaller, mid-tone bass drum |
Ensaio |
Rehearsal |
Escola de Samba |
Samba School (an organization that plans and puts on samba parades during Carnival. It typically has many other social functions and may serve as the community center in its neighborhood) |
Fantasia |
Costume |
Fãs |
Fans |
Festa |
Party / Festival |
Fotos |
Photos |
Instrumentos Musicais |
Musical Instruments |
Iorubá |
Yoruba (an ethnic group in southwestern Nigeria and eastern Benin that were enslaved and taken to Bahia, Brazil. Samba-Reggae music and Bahian culture is heavily influenced by the Yoruba language, culture, and religion maintained by Afro-descendants. |
“Legal!” |
“Cool!” |
Maestra(o) |
Conductor |
Música |
Music |
Obrigada(o) |
Thank you |
Olá |
Hello |
“Oxente!” |
Colloquial expression used in Bahia to express surprise or disbelief |
Pandeiro |
A small frame drum that looks similar to a tambourine in size and shape, but without the jingles and played with a stick. |
Pintura de Rosto |
Face Painting |
Por Favor |
Please |
Repinique / Repique |
High pitched drum that carries the clave or is the “caller” in Samba Reggae rhythms |
Ritmo |
Rhythm |
Roda |
Circle |
Samba-Reggae / Samba-Afro / Afro-Reggae |
Samba-Reggae (a genre of music that is a mixture of samba and reggae rhythms that was developed in Salvador, Bahia in the 1970s and 80s) |
Saudução / Saudações |
Greeting / Greetings |
Show |
Show |
Surdo / Fundo |
Bass drum |
Tambor |
Drum |
Tamborista |
Drummer |
Tempo |
Tempo |
Timbau |
Timbal (A tall, conical shaped drum, played by hand like the atabaque.) |
Xequerê |
Shekere (a West African instrument made from a hollow gourd with a netting of beads wrapped around it. The sound is made by shaking it or hitting it against the hand rhythmically.) |
