Contacting Proyecto Palo Monte

Proyecto Palo Monte

PROYECTO PALO MONTE is an educational collaboration between non-governmental agencies: Sociedad Antropolgica de la Isla de Cuba, Kairos Center, AfroCuban Research and Cultural Center of Western New Mexico University and Stage Of The Arts, Inc. of Los Angeles.

The project is offering a workshop in Matanzas:

AFROCUBAN DRUMS, RITUALS & CULTURES
Workshops and Field Research in Matanzas, Cuba.
Registration limited to 20 people.
From Sunday,   January 3 to Saturday, January 9, 1999.
Professor Israel Moliner Castañeda, Jorge L. Rodriguez and Dr. Beatrice DeOca.

Study of the Yoruba, Arara, Bantú and Carabalí drums. Introduction to the Yoruba/Nigeria drums. The Bata drums: gathering with Bata drum artisans and players as well as festivities and gathering with Bata ritual players. Study of other Yoruba drums including: the Bembe drums, the Iyessa, the Giros or Agwebes. Introduction to the ewe-fong or arará drums of Cuba. The Bantú Drums in Cuba: A visit to the house Congo Luanda in Jovellanos oldtown. Visit to the house Gangá Longowá in Perico. Introduction to the carabali drums in Cuba: Conga drums and the Abaku  sacred drums; visit to the temple Uriabon Efi [from the Efik people in the Cross River Delta, Nigeria] in Matanzas City and the Cabildo Santa Teresa [of the Villamil family]. Gathering with the ritual group Olokum.

Registration: Register by mail or in person prior to Sunday, November 22,1998. We need your name, passport number and a deposit of $700 USD (cash or checks only) fully refundable only if there is a trip cancellation on the part of Stage Of The Arts. Your deposit confirms your agreement with these terms and all information provided in this page.

Total Fees $1,250.00 USD

Course Fees Include: Round trip airfare to/from La Habana, Cuba/ Tijuana,Mexico (AeroMexico). Six nights accommodation dormitory style at the centrally located Kairos Christian Center for the Arts and Liturgy of the Iglesia Bautista de Matanzas (founded 1809) in historic downtown Matanzas, daily breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner, ground transportation, tuition and attendance at performances.

Visa and Travel Regulations to Cuba

You may be traveling to Cuba under a specific license from the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, as a person traveling in connection with clearly defined educational or religious activities. Departure from Tijuana, Mexico will be on Saturday, January 2, 1999 at 4:20
p.m. You are responsible for your own visa arrangements.

For visa and travel arrangements call: Adventure Tours And Travel (626) 395-7111, located at 110 South Rosemead Blvd. Suite A, Pasadena, California 91107 (ask for PROYECTO PALO MONTE).

Academic Course Credit Available

Course credit may be provided by Western New Mexico University. The course is Psychology 480 for individuals without an undergraduate degree or Psychology 580 for individuals who have completed either a B.A. or a B.S.. The title of the course is AfroCuban Thought and Behavior, and will provide 3 units of college credit. To arrange to receive course credit for the trip, please call (505)538-6257 or email AfroCuba@aol.com