History of the BATA
The bata drum holds immense historical and religious value for African AND Cuban cultures. The drum dates back roughly around 500 years, where it is said that at this time was introduced by a Yoruba king by the name Shango el rey del tambor.
Traditionally because the drums were considered so sacred they were only reserved and played for the king or the highest African royalty and later for the dedication for priests that were newly crowned. Each of the three drums are originally dedicated to an African deity, which is a god or goddess that influences the cycles of life and nature. The three gods the drums were dedicated to were Yemaya, Ochun, and Chango.
Though the drums history dates way back, awareness of the bata drums didn't really spread until around the 1800s during the slave-trade, where close to 300,000 Africans were brought to Cuba. Cubans loved the sound and spiritual significance of the drums so much that they even adopted the bata drum and used it for the religious practice of Santeria. You can still see the drums being used in religious ceremonies today.