Some young musicians decide to offer some drums to Obatalá, queen of the Afro-Cuban gods, for her birthday. Eshú, the evil wind, wants the drums for himself. There is only one solution left...
Although the play is based on traditional legends, the author pays special attention to adapting them to contemporary contexts to be understood by children, young people, and adults who sometimes behave like children.
This is not a story of the past but a modern strategy to promote and advocate Afro-Cuban cultural identity.
The piece is full of contemporary nods and humor, starring Afro-Cuban divine beings (orishas) who are joyfully contaminated by the imperfections of human beings.
Keywords: AFRO CUBAN, IDENTITY, THEATER , CUBA
Genre: Comedy
Acts: 1
Run time: 30 minutes
Suitable for students 10+
Cast size: 9 actors
Male roles: 6
Female roles: 3
Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming roles: 2
Casting breakdown:
ESHÚ: He is the orisha of entanglements. His best qualities are drinking alcohol every day and being a ten-star liar. He is an excellent dancer. He is also well known as the thousand-faced sorcerer.
GRIOT: The griot is a kind of storyteller, poet, and African tribal rhapsode teller, with roots over 1,600 years old. The griot's role is to preserve the ethnic groups and oral traditions of the tribe.
SHANGÓ: He is the owner of fire, thunder, music, and dance. Also, he is a warrior, a diviner, and a healer. Red and White are his preferred colors.
YEMAYÁ: She is the goddess of the sea, intelligence, and rationality. Protecting children and pregnant women is her divine mission. Her colors are navy blue and white.
OSAIN: The Orisha protector of nature and forest. He has one eye, a leg, and a single arm. His most minor ear has the gift of knowing the secret of plants.
COSME AND DAMIÁN: They are the twins who defied Eshú. In the Yoruba tradition, they are known as Ibeyi or Jimaguas. They are the orishas who bring fortune, luck, and prosperity.
ITÓTELE: He is the best musician from Rexom: the city of the Afro-Cubans Gods. He is not afraid to face Eshu, the evil wind. In the Yoruba religion, his name means middle.
OBATALA: Obatala, also known as Orisa-nla, is the Yoruba god of creation, purity, peace, and creativity. She is responsible for forming children in the womb. She is one of the oldest and most important of the orishas—the gods of the Yoruba pantheon.