This tune was introduced to us by Raz from One Voice Music at our January workshop in 2026. It is a contemporary piece based around afro-cuban rhythms and traditions celebrating the Wind Orisha, Oya.
Intro
Listen to Intro on Banana Drum
Sections
Section 1
Section 1 is signalled with the left palm facing towards the band
Listen to Section 1 on Banana Drum
Section 2
Section 2 is signalled by the director wobbling their left arm towards their right. “Simulating” a flowing river.
Listen to Section 2 on Banana Drum
Section 3
Section 3 is signalled by the director swooshing both arms from their chest up in the air like a plant / tree coming out of the ground.
Coming out of the break the high and low surdos do not play their normal pick up instead all surdos come in together on Beat 1 (Sec 3 pt1) and then drop out (Sec 3 pt2) until they are called back in to play on the pulse and build momementum. Finally in Sec 3 pt3 the repiniques respond to the surdos and kick off a back and the carries all the way to end.
Listen to Section 3 pt1 on Banana Drum
Listen to Section 3 pt2 on Banana Drum
Listen to Section 3 pt3 on Banana Drum
Breaks
There is only one break in Oya and is used as a way to bridge between the three sections.