1. 5-Day Comprehensive Workshop:
2. 3-Day Intensive Workshops:
3. 1-Day Workshop:


  


1

Bembe for Obatala

Course Description: This comprehensive workshop is an introduction to the traditions of the Lucumi people of Cuba. The workshop will focus on the Bembe Tradition and in this way discuss the philosophical roots of this very rich piece of West African folklore. Exploration of the social organization, fundamental habits, and attitudes of the Cubans rooted in West Africa will occur.

Course Objectives: This class is designed to serve as a podium to explore and discuss the culture of Cuban people. The students will be able to:

1 Discuss the concept of Orisa;
2 Define the various kinds of Bembe celebrations;
3 Explain the social and economical importance of the Bembe in this tradition;
4 Describe and identify the instruments used in these celebrations;
5 Demonstrate an understanding of Ifa and the Priesthood within the Lucumi/Yoruba tradition, and
6 Discuss the organization of a Bembe and define the hierarchic roles played by various members of the community in these festivities.


 


2


1. Tribute to Female Orisas: Goddesses of the Yoruba Pantheon

Course Description: This workshop will have an interdisciplinary focus on the values, patterns, history, and attitudes that create and sustain cultures. Emphasis is on skills and empathy in intercultural communication gained from the study of diverse cultures through literature, and theory. It focuses on the fundamental concepts in the tradition of female Orisas (goddesses of Yoruba pantheon). Also, its emphasis is on the history and the attitudes that create and support their traditions. It will be taught from an African Cuban Lucumi perspective and will touch on the role of women in general and female Orisas in particular. Music, songs, legends, history, dance, and literature will be used to cover the class content.

Course Objectives: This class seeks to explain the concept of male and female energies within the family of Orisa. Participants will be able:

1 To identify and analyze the basic elements of Orisa;
2 To develop a clearer picture of the Orisa “living” scenario;
3 To discuss the concept of the role of females in our tradition;
4 To discuss and clarify the impact of Orisa behavior on human life;
5 To clarify the totem pole role of female Orisa;
6 To discuss and analyze the description of the character of each female Orisa and how it is represented in:

1 Liturgy;
2 Life;
3 Music; and
4 Rhythm


2. Cultural Arts in the Schools: Designing a Cultural Arts Program in the School System (designed for teachers and educators)

Course Description: This workshop is designed for teachers and educators that wish to complement their existing cultural arts program or initiate a new cultural arts program focusing on Afro-Cuban performing and carnival arts, i.e., instrument making/playing, music folklore, and theater arts.

Course Objectives:

1 To explore and discuss a pedagogical Afro-Cuban cultural arts model or program:

a To become familiar with, using a hands-on approach, the    curriculum of Instrument Making with the following instruments: guiros rattles, claves, birimbaos, gourd drums, and chekereses;
b To explore and discuss the Music Folklore curriculum discussing poems and songs written by African-Americans, Afro-Cuban, and Nigerian poets and lyricists; also discussed are poetic forms such as Decimas Cuartetas and Octetas (Cuban forms); and
c To actively listen to a story; to prepare, and produce a presentation by assuming the various roles of the characters to illustrate the efficacy of the Theater Arts components.

3. Social Linguistics with Emphasis on the Lucumi Language

Course Description: This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the folklore of the Lucumi people by covering a linguistic analysis of the Lucumi language in Cuba, language components, and 1st and 2nd language acquisition.

Course Objectives:

1 To explore and discuss the Yoruba and its Diaspora Traditions in the Western world; and
2 To explore, discuss, and understand the importance of Song and Rhythm in the Lucumi Folklore.

4. La Musica Cubana: Introduction to the Musical Traditions of Cuba

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce its participants to the tradition of singing among Cubans

Course Objectives:

1 To recognize the different rhythmic patterns used to keep the different forms of rhythms;
2 To define these rhythmic patterns and their relationship to each instrument;
3 To recognize the Ensemble form and its use;
4 To describe and identify the instruments in the particular traditional Ensemble form;
5 To demonstrate at least two rhythms using two different instruments;
6 To sing songs in Oru format, learn a Carnival song medley, and a few Rumba choruses; and
7 To perform in an Ensemble presentation at the end of the class.


 


3


1. Bembe

Course Description: This workshop is an introduction to the traditions of the Lucumi people of Cuba. It will focus on the Bembe Tradition with discussion of the philosophical roots of this very rich piece of West African Folklore. Exploration of the social organization, fundamental habits, and attitudes of the Cubans rooted in West Africa will occur.

Course Objectives: This workshop is designed to serve as a podium to answer and discuss the culture of Cuba. Participants will be able:

1 To discuss the concept of Orisa;
2 To define the various kinds of Bembe celebrations;
3 To explain the social and economical importance of the Bembe in this tradition;
4 To identify and describe the instruments used in these celebrations;
5 To demonstrate an understanding of Ifa and the Priesthood within the Lucumi/Yoruba tradition; and
6 To discuss the organization of a Bembe and define the hierarchic roles played by various members of the community in these festivities.

2. Lyrical Structure of the Cuban Song: Poetry in Song

Course Description: This workshop is designed to expose and introduce participants to a few of the most important, and most used, lyrical forms of the Cuban songwriting tradition.

Course Objective: To explore and compose a minimum of four different forms of poetic rhythm in the Cuban tradition.

3. Instrument Making

Course Description: This workshop is designed for a thorough explanation and demonstration with hands-on experience in making different percussion instruments, such as, rattles, guiros, claves, birimbaos, drums, and chekeres.

Course Objectives: Participants will be able:

1 To produce one or more of the above instruments;
2 To play and perform, in group; and
3 To understand and appreciate the processes involved in instrument making for the above listed instruments.

4. Cuban Carnival/Prop Art

Course Description: This workshop is designed to allow the participants to explore the lore and make-up of Carnival

Course Objectives: Attendees will be able to make and design sample costumes and props used in Carnival.

5. Afro-Cuban Folkloric Tradition Through Rhythm and Song

Course Description: This workshop is designed to introduce the participant to four or more idioms of Cuban folkloric traditions in its social and historical context.

Course Objectives:

1 To identify and discuss the 27 Sacred Rhythms and Chants of the Gods of the Yoruba People as per the Cuban experience;
2 To discuss Rumba and Carnival rhythms; and
3 To sing and participate in songs.