The Women of Batala Washington Keep the Beat Going
Batala Washington, performing earlier this year in the Cherry Blossom Parade
Batala Washington has its roots in Paris, where expat Brazilian composer Giba Gonçalves started the first Batala group in 1997 as the European wing of CortejoAfro, an arts education project benefiting disadvantaged young people. The local chapter is the newest and only North American affiliate, and there are also groups in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Angola, and Brazil, the original home of Batala's samba-reggae rhythms. This international presence is mirrored in the over 50 Batalettes, as Batala Washington's members refer to themselves.
"All women older than 21 years of age are welcome to join the band, regardless of income, nationality, or musical experience," said April Thompson, Batala Washington's media liason. "The result is a diverse community of women hailing from countries in South America, Europe, Asia and North America."
Batala's samba-reggae style originated in the Brazilian city of Salvador, Bahia, whose population includes a large number of descendants from African slaves brought to South America by the Portuguese in the 18th and 19th centuries. The city experienced a black pride movement in the 1970s, and the rhythms came out of this period as the Afro-Brazilian community's effort to reclaim its musical legacy. The drumline uses four types of instrument, each of which adds a distinct layer to the overall sound. But like many forms of drumming, especially the more traditional, this style tends to exclude women.
"Given that the percussion instruments used in samba-reggae are typically reserved for men, [Batala founder Solange Amorelli] thought it would be fitting to reverse those stereotypes and just make an all-woman group," explained Thompson.
The band rehearses regularly, and its busy schedule has, this year alone, included performances at an inaugural ball, the 9:30 Club, Sounds of Brazil in New York, and numerous events around D.C.
Social responsibility is also an important component to Batala Washington, which is currently seeking nonprofit status. The instruments and clothing are all made in Salvador, Bahia, where the umbrella organization has a social program that provides jobs to poor families. The local chapter has also conducted drumming workshops for kids, and hopes to collaborate with like minded organizations such as the recently profiled Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project.
As with any upstart organization, there are immediate organizational needs to be met. The group rehearses in Farragut Square during temperate seasons, but is looking for a permanent indoor rehearsal space during winter. There is also a call for volunteers with skills in accounting and multimedia outreach.
Despite these short term challenges, the future is bright for Batala Washington and its members, whose experience goes well beyond the music itself, and extends to the sense of community drumming can instill.
"The friendships formed, the chance to perform with some incredible musicians in incredible venues, personal learning and growth opportunities, the sheer fun of it all, I think for us all the Batala experience has exceeded expectations on many levels," Thompson said.