Many People in the USA and Europe first learn to
play Djembe by learning a rhythm called "Baba's
Warm Up." Babtunde Olatunji (God Rest Him) helped
launch the West African drum craze back in the
1950's. He first started teaching this rhythm to
Americans in the 1950's as a way to introduce West
Afican Drum techniques. At that time, when he was
asked what the rhythm meant he would say, "It's
just a warm-up."
Well, that's not entirely true. This rhythm actually came from a very sacred Ifa (Yoruba Religion) ceremony for initiation.
In the Ifa religion, every drum rhythm was first a spoken chant and then later was played on the drum. So, true drumming is not just about makinfg sounds but the drummer is actually chanting a sacred mantra designed to bring down divine energy.
But back in the 1950's this was not readily accepted by westerners, so in order to preserve the sacredness of the meaning of the chants, Babatunde called it simply a warm-up. So, to this day many people play this rhythm believing that it is simply an exercise fro beginner drummers created by Olatunji.
My teacher, Baba Ayo Adeyemi, came to the U.S. to play drums from Mr. Olantunji. Baba Ayo is also an Ifa Priest and Master Drummer. He graciously has taught me the true meaning behind Baba's Warm-up. It is a chant spoken in an ancient dialect of theYoruba language. This is an older dialect used in rituals in the same way we read the Bible in King James English. The true name of the rhythm is "Iba Oba" which means “Welcome to the King” and was traditionally used as a welcome song for the village chief as well as an initiation chant into Ifa and for general healing rituals in the Ifa Religion.
1) Iba Oba - "Welcome to the King"
2) Eru Oba Nimoba - "I will Follow The King" (The burden of the King is Great)
3) Eru Oba Nikaba Gidi - "Let us all Follow the King" (The burden of the King is too great for one person.)
4) Eru Oba Gidi Shango - "Let Us Respect the Transformative Power of the King" (Shango is the power of the lightning which transforms from Life to Death to Life again)
5) Eru Oba Nikaba Bata "Let Us Respect the Power of the King - Indeed!"
6) Eru Oba Nikaba Bako Bako " I will follow the King forever and ever."
Verses 7-9 then exhort all worshippers to dance and sing celebrating the intiate's commitment to follow his spiritual path or in other words to follow the TRUE King which is his or her own Spirit...
Well, that's not entirely true. This rhythm actually came from a very sacred Ifa (Yoruba Religion) ceremony for initiation.
In the Ifa religion, every drum rhythm was first a spoken chant and then later was played on the drum. So, true drumming is not just about makinfg sounds but the drummer is actually chanting a sacred mantra designed to bring down divine energy.
But back in the 1950's this was not readily accepted by westerners, so in order to preserve the sacredness of the meaning of the chants, Babatunde called it simply a warm-up. So, to this day many people play this rhythm believing that it is simply an exercise fro beginner drummers created by Olatunji.
My teacher, Baba Ayo Adeyemi, came to the U.S. to play drums from Mr. Olantunji. Baba Ayo is also an Ifa Priest and Master Drummer. He graciously has taught me the true meaning behind Baba's Warm-up. It is a chant spoken in an ancient dialect of theYoruba language. This is an older dialect used in rituals in the same way we read the Bible in King James English. The true name of the rhythm is "Iba Oba" which means “Welcome to the King” and was traditionally used as a welcome song for the village chief as well as an initiation chant into Ifa and for general healing rituals in the Ifa Religion.
1) Iba Oba - "Welcome to the King"
2) Eru Oba Nimoba - "I will Follow The King" (The burden of the King is Great)
3) Eru Oba Nikaba Gidi - "Let us all Follow the King" (The burden of the King is too great for one person.)
4) Eru Oba Gidi Shango - "Let Us Respect the Transformative Power of the King" (Shango is the power of the lightning which transforms from Life to Death to Life again)
5) Eru Oba Nikaba Bata "Let Us Respect the Power of the King - Indeed!"
6) Eru Oba Nikaba Bako Bako " I will follow the King forever and ever."
Verses 7-9 then exhort all worshippers to dance and sing celebrating the intiate's commitment to follow his spiritual path or in other words to follow the TRUE King which is his or her own Spirit...