Bembe
/ˈbɛm.beɪ/noun
A Cuban religious ceremony featuring drumming, singing, and dancing, especially in Afro-Cuban traditions.
Did you know?Bembé ceremonies are associated with Afro-Cuban religious traditions such as Santería, where drumming and song may be used to honor or invoke orishas.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
West African languages
bembé
“A proposed source referring to a drum, drumming, or a related musical-ritual practice; the precise origin is uncertain.”
18th–19th Century
Spanish
bembé
“A name for an Afro-Cuban religious celebration involving music, dancing, and drumming.”
19th Century
Afro-Cuban Spanish
bembé
“A communal ritual gathering connected with African-derived religious traditions in Cuba.”
Modern English
English
bembe
“An English loanword for the Afro-Cuban ceremony; the accent is often omitted in English.”