Drumming For The Gods (Paperback)

\u0022I am Felipe Garcia Villamil\u0022 begins Drumming for the Gods, the life history of the Afro-Cuban artist whose music has survived both political and personal upheaval. \u0022Balogun for thirty years. Oluana, of Matanzas, Cuba, for about forty years. Omoana for almost forty-five years. OluIyesa [he knows the secrets of the Iyesa drums].\u0022 A practitioner of sacred drumming for almost his entire life, Felipe practiced his trade in Cuba both before and after the Revolution and brought it with him to New York, where he continues to play for the gods. This book focuses on three periods of Felipe's life, each marked by changes in his personal life and by important historical events. The first period covers his formative years during which he received his initial training. Through Felipe's story, we explore the legacy of slavery in Cuba, the nature of Afro-Cuban religions and their musical traditions, and the history of bata drums. The second period covers the critical years of the Cuban Revolution. Here we see the effect of social turmoil both n music and religious practice (santero, palero, and abakua). The third period covers Felipe's life in New York as a refugee/immigrant, and the role of music in rebuilding his identity. Felipe's story illuminates his cultural practices and beliefs as well as the ways in which an individual musician selects and modifies the elements of his cultural heritage to create a voice that is personal and unique. Felipe not only lives through history but also makes history, shaping an identity that cannot be described as \u0022Cuban immigrant,\u0022 \u0022Afro-Cuban,\u0022 \u0022religious drummer,\u0022 or \u0022santeria initiate,\u0022 but is composed of all of them. Through Felipe's experiences, Maria Teresa Velez reveals the interaction between social, political, economic, and cultural forces and an individual's own actions. The professionalization of musicians in Cuba following the Revolution and the plight of Afro-Cuban immigrants in New York are seen as large historical and social problems to which Felipe must personally respond. A noted ethnomusicologist, Velez provides the most insightful and comprehensive English-language study of an individual Cuban religious drummer available. Drumming for the Gods is a must-read for those interested in ethnomusicology, Caribbean studies, and Afro-Cuban religions and culture.

General

Imprint:	Temple University Press,U.S.
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	Studies In Latin America & Car
Release date:	2000
First published:	2000
Authors:	Maria Velez
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 33mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	210
ISBN-13:	978-1-56639-731-5
Categories:	Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Composers & musicians Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Non-Western music, traditional & classical Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > Film, television, music, theatre Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Other types of music > Sacred & religious music Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > General Books > Biography > Film, television, music, theatre Books > Music > Composers & musicians Books > Music > Non-Western music, traditional & classical Books > Music > Other types of music > Sacred & religious music
LSN:	1-56639-731-6
Barcode:	9781566397315

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!