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One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.

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A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

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All About Voodoo African Batá Drums In Yoruba Africa

Batá drums are the voice of the Voodoo religion, batá are talking drums speak to and for the Yoruba people. Voodoo African Batá Drums In Yoruba Africa. Batá drums are the iconic symbol and sound of the Voodoo religion. The word voodoo comes from the West African word vodun which means spirit.


Rhythms of Voodoo Batá Drumming.


Rhythms of Voodoo drumming

Batá drums are the voice of the Voodoo religion, batá are talking drums. Voodoo drumming and ceremonies are intimately linked in Africa.


Batá drums are a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass with one cone larger than the other. The Batá drum is a percussion instrument used primarily for the use of religious or semi-religious purposes for the native culture from the land of Yoruba, located in Nigeria.

Batá drums are also the iconic symbol and sound of the Vodun or Voodoo religion. The talking drums express the histories of the West African Yoruba Oyo. Vodun is one of the world's oldest known religions.

It is commonly believed by academic researchers that these original drums were played to frighten those who would both make war with Oyo and those citizens who would oppose the king. Early Batá performances were likely held under the cover of darkness and often preceded parades of frighteningly dressed masqueraders called Egungun and Paraka.

Egungun and Paraka mean "powers concealed," is a Yoruba full body masquerade costume that provides an important connection between the worlds of the living and the dead. The body masks completely covered the dancer concealing their identity.

The common symbols were elephants, an ancient Yoruba emblem of power, lions representing bravery, crocodiles representing fierceness. Yoruba’s understand their existence as living in and acknowledging two worlds, the physical and supernatural. It is considered wise to acknowledge each sphere.


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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.