This is the last interview that Chacha gave before his untimely death in July 2007, for inclusion in Kabiosile's "El Lenguaje del Tambor." In it he talks of his childhood in Little Africa, starting out with Los Munequitos, and his meeting with Fernando Ortiz.
Presentations in Matanzas, Cuba occur on the third day after initiation and include a complete Oro Cantado (cycle of songs) culminating in songs for the Orisha to whom the Iyawo is crowned. The akpon sings until the Orishas come down...Btw, the sticks held over the Iyawos' heads represent the roof of Chango's house.
"The Power of the Drum" offers 8 examples of live drumming ceremonies in the home of Alfredo Calvo (Matanzas, Cuba) featuring bata, güiro, and the Bembe Macagua drums. The DVD also includes interviews and drumming demonstrations. 90 minutes, all regions.
"The Power of the Drum" presents many of the ways in which the drums are used to communicate with the Orishas and with Olofi (God). Interviews and drumming demonstrations are interspersed with examples from live drumming celebrations featuring the bata drums, güiro, and the Bembe Macagua. Filmed in Matanzas, Cuba.
In the "Little Africa" neighborhood called El Simpson in Matanzas, Cuba the children start learning the drums when they are toddlers. By the time they are 8 or 9, they have their hands washed to Aña and are proficient at güiro and bembe. Orlandito, the boy at the end of this clip, was 10 when this segment of "La Fuerza del Tambor" was filmed.
![\"Three Changos\" from Vamos al Tambor](http://img.youtube.com/vi/K0Fwdk_sYKs/2.jpg "\\"Three Changos\\" from Vamos al Tambor")
![\"La Fuerza del Tambor\" Trailer](http://img.youtube.com/vi/0sPI_a9t1Ew/2.jpg "\\"La Fuerza del Tambor\\" Trailer")
