Polyrhythmic batuku (or batuka) is both a form of music and dance and a form of resistance and memory. I was fortunate to visit a gathering of women in Cidade Velha as they practiced batuka drumming/singing/dancing during my January 2024 travel course.
Notice I did not use the word "performance" because this was a private moment in a community of women, and some visitors were fortunate to gather around the edges of the space in which they were gathered.
It had been a couple of years earlier that I learned of Madonna's performance with members of that same community. As much as I enjoy Madonna's work generally, I must admit I was skeptical about this video. But I learned about it from a Cape Verdean -- my kriolu language professor -- and so I accept it for what it appears to be: a visitor from outside being welcomed by Cape Verdeans, as I have been. That's morabeza.
There is much more to be said about this music in general and this video in particular. For now, I am posting it in a way to facilitate sharing it with students in at least three different courses I am teaching in the fall: Detroit, Africa, and world music. It is relevant to all three!
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| Batuku session in Cidade Velha, 2024 Photo by JH-B / Context in Cabo Verde Photos |
Lagniappe
Read the Batuku-Finason article by my friend Gláucia for a rich description of this oldest of Cabo Verdean musical forms, several local videos, and Charles Darwin's experience with this music. Yes, that Charles Darwin!
