Batá toques Rhythms – Music

In Afro-Cuban batá tradition there are a set of “meta-rhythms” or common toques that are not exclusive to a single Orisha but are shared, foundational grooves. These are often played at the beginning of ceremonies, for communal invocation, or as transitions.

Video: Batá toques

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  • 1. Elegua
  • 2. Oggun
  • 3. Ochosi
  • 4. Ibbaloke
  • 5. Inle
  • 6. Babalu Aye
  • 7. Osain
  • 8. Osun
  • 9. Obatala
  • 10. Dada
  • 11. Oggue
  • 12. Agayu
  • 13. Orula
  • 14. Orisha oko
  • 15. Los Ibeyis
  • 16. Chango
  • 17. Yewa
  • 18. Oya
  • 19. Yemaya
  • 20. Oshun
  • 21. Obba
  • 22. Oddua

Toques

  • Njongo
    Njongo: one of the foundational batá rhythms, a general toque not tied to one Orisha that forms the backbone of the ceremonial repertoire.
  • Chachalokafún
    Chachalokafún (Chachalokpafún): the energetic 6/8 batá toque for Changó. Rhythm, role in ceremony, the Changó dance, recordings and videos.
  • Aluya
    Alujá (also written Aluyá) is a batá toque for Changó, and according to Proyecto Orunmila's Lucumí dictionary also for Oyá: very lively, with a lot of dancing.
  • Agueré
    Agueré: batá toque of Ochosi, the Orisha of the hunt and justice. According to the sources, it belongs to Ochosi alone.
  • Iyesá
    Iyesá is the music of the Iyesá, a Yoruba subgroup from the Ilesha region of western Nigeria. In Cuba the Iyesá have their own drums; there is also a toque Iyesá in the batá repertoire. The Iyesá mainly honour Ochún and Ogún.
  • Babalú Ayé
    Babalú Ayé (also known as Asojano in some lineages) is the Orisha of healing, disease, and the earth. He governs illness — particularly epidemic diseases of the skin — and has the power both to afflict and to cure.
  • Changó
    Changó (Shangó), Orisha of thunder, lightning, fire and dance: his batá toques, their place in ceremony and his dance.
  • Eleguá
    Eleguá is the Orisha of crossroads, beginnings, and communication. He is always the first Orisha invoked in any ceremony — without his permission, the path to the other Orishas is closed.
  • Inle
    Inle (Erinle), Orisha of fishing, medicine and the boundary between fresh and salt water: his batá toque and its place in ceremony.
  • Obakoso
    Obakoso (Oba kò so, "the king did not hang"): a praise name and path of Changó, not a separate batá toque. Where the name comes from and which toques Changó does have.
  • Obatalá
    Obatalá is the Orisha of purity, wisdom, and creation. He is the father of all Orishas and the sculptor who molded the human body from clay.
  • Ochosi
    Ochosi is the Orisha of the hunt, justice, and the forest. He is an archer — precise, patient, and swift. He is one of the Guerreros (Warriors) alongside Eleguá and Ogún.
  • Ogún
    Ogún, Orisha of iron, war, labor and technology: his batá toque, its place in ceremony and his dance.
  • Orisha Oko
    Orisha Oko is the Orisha of agriculture, the earth, and farming. He governs the fertility of the land and the crops that sustain human life.
  • Oru Seco
    The Oru Seco (dry sequence) is a structured cycle of batá rhythms played without vocals at the opening of major Lucumí ceremonies. It invokes and pays respect to all the major Orishas in a fixed sequence.
  • Oyá
    Oyá is the Orisha of storms, wind, lightning, death, and transformation. She guards the gates of the cemetery and is the only Orisha who does not fear death.
  • Yemayá
    Yemayá, Orisha of the sea and mother of all Orishas: her batá toques, their place in ceremony and her dance.

Guerreros (Warriors)

  • Eleguá – toques: Latopa (La Topa), Bobo Araye and Abukenke (always first, opener of ceremonies)
  • Ogún – toque: Ogún (heavy, iron/war)
  • Ochosi – toque: Agueré
  • Osun – toque: Osun (grouped with the guerreros)

Thunder & Power

Waters

  • Yemayá – toques: Yakotá, Alaró (rolling, flowing, ocean-like)
  • Oshún – toque: Chenche kururú (sweet, syncopated, river movement)

Death, Ancestors & Transformation

  • Oyá – toques: Ayalikú (sad, funereal) and Tui-tui
  • Obbá – sometimes shares elements with Oyá
  • Babalú Ayé – toque: Oyokotá (solemn, healing, illness)

Wisdom & Purity

  • Orula (Orunmila) – toque: Orula (linked to divination)
  • Obatalá – toque: Obatalá, calm and solemn (Oba Moro and Orishanla are paths of Obatalá, not toques)

Others (depending on lineage)

  • Agayú – toque: Agayú (earth-shaking, river crossing, volcano)
  • Inle – toque: Inle (less universal, depends on house)
  • Ibeji (Twins) – toque: Ibeji (playful, light)

📝 Sources