The Band
Batala Bangor is a Brazilian carnival drumming band in North Wales, made up of around 40 members from across the region who share a love of Samba-Reggae rhythm and percussion. We are a volunteer-run community group, and all proceeds from our gigs go back into running the band, including travel, drums, costumes, and rehearsal space.
We try to keep inclusion at the centre of what we do, membership is open to anyone with or without musical experience, we just ask that people have enthusiasm, a love of rhythm and a willingness to learn. We try to give our members the opportunity to grow with the band, learning new drums and new rhythms and encourage people to pass on what they know to one another.
Batala Bangor is a mainstay of the North Wales Summer Carnival scene, and has enlivened numerous community events, private gigs, parties – even weddings!
We like to try and spread a little Brazilian energy, rhythm & spirit everywhere we play.
The music
Batala was started by Giba Gonçalves. Giba was born in Salvador, Brazil and has played with Ilê Aiyê, Olodum, and Malê Debalê, as well as touring the world with Kuoma. In 1997, while living in Paris, he decided to set up a samba reggae group there.
The name he chose combines two things: Obatalá (the name of an orixa – spirit guide, or god – in Candomblé, the religion which came with people of the Yoruba nation who were enslaved and taken to Brazil), and the French phrase “Battre à là!” (“Beat that!”).
From the beginning, Batala had links with the bloco afro Cortejo Afro, shared their repertoire, and had a standing invitation to join them in the Salvador Carnival. All our drums and costumes come from community workshops that are part of the same project as Cortejo Afro.
Batala is a drum-only percussion group, we play on 4 types of drum; bass, dobra, caixa (snare) & repinique which all blend together to create the unique Batala sound.
Batala Mundo
After Giba set up the original band in Paris the idea began to spread as members moved away and wanted to take Batala with them by setting up their own Batala bands, initially spreading across Europe and then to the Americas and around the world.
There are now nearly 50 Batala bands worldwide, all playing the same repertoire as part of a community of over 1000 Batala drummers. Despite this international dimension, Batala groups retain their independence and diversity, reflecting their place of origin.
Each year there are many opportunities for Batala members to get together, learn and perform, often at prestigious events such as Notting Hill Carnival, Day of The Dead in Mexico or Salvador Carnival in Brazil, where our music originates from. Even if we don’t all speak the same language we can always drum together.
From a single band in Paris, Giba’s brainchild has grown to create a global movement that has unity, inclusion and a passion for drumming and rhythm at its core.
Need a carnival band in North Wales?
We could be bringing Brazilian rhythms to your event!