Batalá Washington DC

Empowering women through Afro-Brazilian, Samba-Reggae drumming

mission

Batalá Washington DC is an all-women Afro-Brazilian music band that brings Samba-Reggae rhythms and the vibrant energy of Salvador, Bahia to the Washington, DC area. Batalá Washington’s mission is to empower women through drumming and expose people to Brazil’s dynamic Afro-Bahia culture and Samba-Reggae music.

Joining Batalá is free of charge to all women regardless of race, religion, income, sexual orientation or musical experience.

Join us in spreading the spirit of Samba-Reggae by booking a performance, donating, or learning more about our organization. By supporting Batalá Washington, you help sustain a dynamic movement that unites diverse audiences and creates unforgettable performances that resonate long after the last drumbeat.

learn more

Batalá Washington is part of a global family of Batalá bands, a movement that began in 1997 with the vision of founder Giba Gonçalves. Inspired by his unique blend of Afro-Brazilian rhythms, other individuals started their own Batalá bands, building a vibrant international community. In 2007, Batalá Washington was founded, becoming the first Batalá band in the United States and the first all-women led ensemble, bringing the powerful sounds of Brazilian drumming to Washington, D.C., and beyond.

Today there are over 45 bands around the world

Batalá Mundo is more than a musical project; it’s a vibrant community dedicated to fostering inclusivity, cultural exchange, and community engagement. Through its music, Batalá not only enriches the lives of its members and local communities but also gives back to its roots in Brazil. All instruments and costumes are crafted in Salvador, Bahia, where the band supports a social program that provides employment to numerous families, strengthening ties to its cultural origins.

learn more

join us

come see us

SUBSCRIBE →

book batalá

Image of Batalá Washington DC band members playing a song in the park — Members of Batalá Washington, an all-women Afro-Brazilian band that plays Samba-Reggae rhythms practice in Hancock Park in Washington, DC, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Batalá in Washington, D.C. is part of a larger Batalá family created in 1997 by Giba Gonçalves. Born and raised in Salvador, Brazil, Giba was living in Paris when he first had the idea for the band. Open to anyone with an interest in learning the samba-reggae beat, the band started off with 60 people. From Paris it spread to other cities in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom. In 2003, the band finally made its way back to its origins, brought to Brazil by Paulo Garcia, also the founder of the Portsmouth Batalá . Composer and musical director, Giba enlisted the help of friends from the bands and from Salvador in order to create the visual identity of the band. The instruments and clothings are all manufactured in Salvador, Bahia, where the band has a social program that gives jobs to many families. From there they are shipped to the bands around the world. In 2007, the newest branch of the Batalá band was created in Washington, DC, expanding the reach of the band’s music to the United States. Today, there are 30 and counting Batalá bands around the world.

get in touch

The band

donate

No photos, graphics, videos, or content in general of this website may be reproduced without Batalá Washington DC’s express consent.   

Handcrafted with ♥️ by Look What Jenny Did. Powered by WordPress.