The San Cristóbal de Regla group was founded in 1953 in the Havana neighbourhood of Regla, one of the old slave landing ports. Today, led by Andres Balaez, the group performs daily rituals associated with the practice of various Afro-Cuban cults. In Cuba, the relationship between people and the spirits is the result of a long process of inter-African and Afro-European syncretism. Each musical ensemble is characterised by a specific percussion 'orchestra', and addresses various spiritual entities (Catholic saints, orichas or deities associated with animist-type beliefs, forces of nature and the 'dead'). As officiants, the musicians creatively exploit the melodies and rhythms associated with these different worlds, creating remarkable polyrhythms. The Balaez family is one of the island's great lineages of musicians, a veritable dynasty in which the secrets of musical knowledge are passed on from father to son.

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Andres Jacinto Balaez Chinicle : batá, cajón, tumbadora and singing
Andres Lazaro Balaez Gutierrez : batá, catá, campana, güiro and singing
Osvaldo Cáceres Balaez : clave, campana, güiro, bombo, singing & dance
Bartolomes Espinoza Peraza : batá, cajón, tumbadora and singing
Jorje Alberto Duquesne Mora : clave, campana, güiro and dance

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In Partnership with the 24e Festival de l’Imaginaire.